Daniel Claxton Email and Phone Number

I manage requirements for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) System Specification for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

Same as previous position at United Space Alliance. I transfered to Sparta (the prime contractor) because the subcontract I was working under went away.

I served as Deputy to the Chief Engineer for Mid-range Ballistic Missile Targets and Countermeasures for the Missile Defense Agency. I am responsible for making technical recommendations to the Chief Engineer and Program Management.In this capacity I commanded knowledge of operational and technical architectures for complex systems specific to ballistic missile launch vehicles. This incorporates an expertise in the principles, techniques, and application of systems engineering, hardware and software systems design, and test & evaluation. In addition I shared technical responsibility with the Chief Engineer.

For 4 years I served as a systems and integration engineer for NASA's Space Shuttle Propulsion Systems Engineering & Integration office in multiple capacities including Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Element Integration Lead for 10 Shuttle missions and Imagery Integration Lead for 8 missions.I provided engineering recommendations and verification of SRB system level requirements and vehicle health during Test, Pre-Launch and Launch activities from the Huntsville Operation Support Center (HOSC). As a Change Package Engineer I coordinated the review and approval of Engineering Changes to SRB documents and drawings, which included presenting to Chief Engineers and Program Management.I developed a statistical database of engineering data used by NASA for analysis of Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) foam debris, resulting in an improved understanding and reduction in program risk.I provided design and testing support for in-house development of imagery analysis and database software used by NASA customers and received achievement award for quality as a result.I also supported SRB Post-Flight assessment for flight performance and identification of potential anomalous conditions of hardware. I Led an integrated anomaly resolution team during STS-132, resulting in improved knowledge of vehicle performance and risk for which I received a highly prestigious Spaceflight Awareness Award.

Micro Air Vehicle Research and DevelopmentSole developer of software suite used by the University of Florida to aid the optimized design, and rapid prototyping of small composite Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV)Developed finite element models for aero-structural modelingExtensive flight testing and wind-tunnel verification of computational modelsPublication: Introduction to the Design of Fixed-Wing Micro Air Vehicles (2007)Design team lead for International Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) design, build, and fly competition - First Place 4 years in a rowWorked on design team projects for Air Force and Special Ops