UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Robert Melton, professor of aerospace engineering, has been elected a corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).
The IAA is an independent, non-governmental organization that brings together the world's foremost experts in the disciplines of astronautics to recognize the accomplishments of their peers, to explore and discuss cutting-edge issues in space research and technology, and to provide direction and guidance in the non-military uses of space and the ongoing exploration of the solar system.
Melton is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a fellow of the American Astronautical Society, where he has chaired the Space Flight Mechanics technical committee and served as vice president-technical and vice president-publications, and as a member of the board of directors. He has also been a member of the International Astronautical Federation Astrodynamics Technical Committee.
Melton, whose research focuses on astrodynamics and trajectory and attitude control optimization, joined Penn State in 1981. He serves as the aerospace engineering department’s director of undergraduate program and is the faculty adviser for the Penn State chapter of AIAA and co-adviser for the Astrodynamics Research Group of Penn State.
Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1960, IAA has approximately 1,200 members from 86 countries, including leaders in space science and engineering, academia and industry.
The academy's mission is to foster the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a branch of science or technology related to astronautics, and to provide a program through which the membership can contribute to international endeavors and cooperation in the advancement of aerospace science, in cooperation with national science or engineering academies.