SA · ABOUT · v1.0 · 14JUN26

Simpson Aerospace

Engineering with intent. Built to light.

Dr. Christopher R. Simpson with the RX1 rocket

About

Simpson Aerospace is the practice of Dr. Christopher R. Simpson — a propulsion and state-estimation engineer. It is the home for his research, his published work, and the short courses he teaches in propulsion and astrodynamics.

Background

Ph.D. aerospace engineer. Four years as a Principal Investigator at NAWCWD China Lake, where he ran more than $1M in applied propulsion research. Active Secret clearance. A publication and transition record across the naval science-and-technology community. NAR High Power Rocketry L1; member, AIAA Committee on Standards — Hydrogen.

Research interests

Advanced propulsion and combustion — rotating detonation engines, scramjets and combined-cycle systems, combustion stability, and alternative fuels — studied at the level of theory and published literature.

State estimation and mission planning — trajectory optimization, statistical orbit determination, conjunction assessment, and autonomous scheduling for responsive launch of small-satellite constellations. Ground-station development integrated with SatNOGS.

Teaching

Instructor-led short courses in orbit determination, hypersonic airbreathing propulsion, combustion stability, detonation, and shock tubes. Course material is published here as it is developed.

Ridgecrest, CA · christopher.r.simpson@simpsonaerospace.com · simpsonaerospace.com