Stewart Bushman

Stewart Bushman is the Propulsion Section Supervisor in the Mechanical Systems Group of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Space Exploration Sector. He is the Propulsion Lead Engineer for the for the New Horizons mission as well as the twin STEREO spacecraft currently orbiting the Sun and the former Prop Lead of the MESSENGER, Parker Solar Probe and Van Allen Probes missions. He is currently working on the Europa Clipper, IMAP, and Dragonfly missions. He received his M.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1999 and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester in 1995. He is a member of the AIAA Liquid Propulsion Technical Committee.

Education History

• BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester
• MS, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Work Experience

Principal Professional Staff, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory

Publications

Hersman, C.B., Bushman, S. S., et al., “The New Horizons Spacecraft: Past Performance, Future Potential,” Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Volume 37, Number 1 (2023), pp. 18-33.

Kubota, S., Bushman, S.S., et al., “Mercury Lander: A New-Frontiers-Class Planetary Mission Concept Design,” 2021 IEEE Aerospace Conference (50100), Big Sky, MT, USA, 2021, pp. 1-16, https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO50100.2021.9438360

Guo, Y., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Execution of Parker Solar Probe’s Unprecedented Flight to the Sun and Early Results,” Acta Astronautica, Volume 179, February 2021, Pages 425-438.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.11.007

Guo, Y., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Execution of Parker Solar Probe’s Unprecedented Flight to the Sun and Early Results,” IAC Paper IAC-19-A3.5.1, 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Washington D.C., 21-25 October 2019.

Kijewski, S.A. and Bushman, S. S., “Design, Fabrication, Test, Launch, and Early Operation of the Parker Solar Probe Propulsion System,” AIAA Paper 2019-3855, AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition 2019, Indianapolis, IN, 19-22 August 2019.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2019-3855

Stern, S. A., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Initial results from the first spacecraft exploration of a small Kuiper Belt Object: 2014 MU69,” Science, Vol. 364, Issue 6441, 17 May 2019, eaaw9771.
DOI: 10.1126/SCIENCE.AAW9771

Ossing, D.A., Bushman, S.S., et al., “The Fall and Rise of STEREO Behind,” AIAA Paper 2018-2565, 2018 SpaceOps Conference, Marsielle, France, 28 May – 1 June 2018.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-2565

Gold, R. E., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Maximizing MESSENGER’s Science Return with Technologies and Innovation,” Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Volume 34, Number 1 (2017), pp. 71-87.
https://publons.com/publon/34460547/

McAdams, James V., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Spacecraft Trajectory Planning and Execution for the MESSENGER Mission,” Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Volume 34, Number 1 (2017), pp. 56-70.
https://publons.com/publon/34460546/

O’Shaughnessy, D. J., Bushman, S. S., et al., “MESSENGER’s Hover Campaign,” Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Volume 34, Number 1 (2017), pp. 88-96.
https://publons.com/publon/34460549/

Bushman, S. S., “Performance of the New Horizons Propulsion System through the Pluto System Encounter,” AIAA Paper 2017-4746, AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition 2017, Atlanta, GA, 10-12 July 2017.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2017-4746

John, Jeremy W. and Bushman, S. S., “Primary Mission Flight Performance of the Van Allen Probes Propulsion Systems,” AIAA Paper 2016-4680, AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition 2016, Salt Lake City, UT, 25-27 July 2016.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2016-4680

Bushman, S. S., et al., “Extending MESSENGER’s Low-Altitude Hover Campaign by Using Helium Pressurant as Cold-Gas Propellant,” AIAA Paper 2016-4679, AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition 2016, Salt Lake City, UT, 25-27 July 2016.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2016-4679

Rogers, G. D., Bushman, S. S., et al., “New Horizons Guidance & Control & Propulsion Systems Budget Versus Performance for the Pluto Encounter,” Paper AAS 16-141, 39th Annual AAS Guidance & Control Conference, Breckenridge, CO, 5-10 February 2016.
https://publons.com/publon/34460550/

Stern, S. A., Bushman, S. S., et al., “The Pluto system: Initial Results from its exploration by New Horizons,” Science, Vol. 350, Issue 6258, 16 October 2015, pp. 292, aad1815-1–8.
DOI: 10.1126/SCIENCE.AAD1815

Kirk, M. N., Bushman, S. S., et al., “MESSENGER Maneuver Performance During the Low-Altitude Hover Campaign,” Paper AAS 15-652, 60th Annual AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Vail, CO, 9-13 August 2015.
https://publons.com/publon/34460554/

McAdams, J. V., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Engineering MESSENGER’s Grand Finale at Mercury – The Low-Altitude Hover Campaign,” Paper AAS 15-634, 60th Annual AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Vail, CO, 9-13 August 2015.
https://publons.com/publon/34460552/

Flanigan, S. H., Kirk, M. N., O’Shaughnessy, D. J., Bushman, S. S., and Rosendall, P. E., “The First Three Maneuvers During MESSENGER’s Low-Altitude Science Campaign,” Paper AAS 15-137, 38th Annual AAS Guidance & Control Conference, Breckenridge, CO, 30 January – 4 February, 2015.
https://publons.com/publon/34460556/

“Radiation Belt Storm Probes-Observatory and Environments.” In N. Fox & J. L. Burch (Eds.), The Van Allen Probes Mission (pp. 59-125). New York, NY: Springer US. 2014. (http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4899-7433-4_4)
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-7433-4_4

“Radiation Belt Storm Probes – Observatory and Environments,” Space Science Reviews, DOI 10.1007/s11214-012-9949-2, Springer Netherlands, December 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11214-012-9949-2.
DOI: 10.1007/S11214-012-9949-2

“Design, Fabrication, and Testing of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Propulsion Systems,” 48th Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Paper 2012–4332, July 2012, Atlanta, GA.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2012-4332

“Radiation Belt Storm Probe Spacecraft and Impact of Environment on Spacecraft Design,” 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Paper IEEE–1759, Big Sky, MT, 3–10 March 2012.
DOI: 10.1109/AERO.2012.6187020

“Evaluation of Microorganism Growth in Water–Loaded New Horizons and STEREO Propellant Tanks,” 47th Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Paper 2011–6115, July 2011, San Diego, CA.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2011-6115

“In-Space Performance of the New Horizons Propulsion System,” 43rd Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Paper 2007–5581, July 2007, Cincinnati, OH.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2007-5581

“AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion,” 38th Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Paper 2002–3974, July 2002, Indianapolis, IN.
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2002-3974

“Advanced Diagnostics for Millimeter–Scale Micro Pulsed Plasma Thruster,” 33rd Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, AIAA Paper 2002–2119, Maui, HI, May 20-23, 2002
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2002-2119

“AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion,” 33rd Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, AIAA Paper 2002–2120, Maui, HI, May 20-23, 2002
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2002-2120

“AFRL MicroPPT Development for the TechSat 21 Flight,” 27th International Electric Propulsion Conference, IEPC Paper 01-0166, October 15-19, 2001, Pasadena, CA

“Heating and Plasma Properties in a Coaxial Gasdynamic Pulsed Plasma Thruster,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 17, No. 5, Sept.–Oct. 2001, pp. 959-966.
DOI: 10.2514/2.5849

Micropropulsion for Small Spacecraft, “Pulsed Plasma Thruster Performance for Microspacecraft Propulsion,” Progress in Astronautics and Astronautics v.187, AIAA Press, Reston VA, 2000.
https://doi.org/10.2514/5.9781600866586.0337.0352

“Probe Measurements in a Coaxial Gasdynamic PPT,” 35th Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Paper 1999-2288, Los Angeles, CA, June 20-24, 1999
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1999-2288

“Arc Measurements and Performance Characteristics of a Coaxial Pulsed Plasma Thruster,” 34th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 1998-3660, Cleveland, OH, July 13-15, 1998
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1998-3660

“Energy Balance and Efficiency of the Pulsed Plasma Thruster,” 34th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 1998-3808, Cleveland, OH, July 13-15, 1998
https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1998-3808

“A Compact Thrust Stand for Pulsed Plasma Thrusters,” 25th International Electric Propulsion Conference, IEPC Paper 97-122, August 24-28, 1997, Cleveland, OH

Honors and Awards

• Parker Solar Probe Group Achievement Award (2019)
• MESSENGER Group Achievement Award, NASA, To the MESSENGER Project Team for exceptional contributions to the first mission to orbit Mercury, executing unprecedented observations adding to humankind’s understanding of our solar system’s innermost planet. (2018)
• Walter G. Berl Award – Outstanding Paper in the Johns Hopkins APL Tech Digest. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). For: Gold, R. E., Bushman, S. S., et al., “Maximizing MESSENGER’s Science Return with Technologies and Innovation,” Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Volume 34, Number 1 (2017), pp. 71-87. (2017)
• New Horizons Group Achievement Award, NASA, To the New Horizons Team for exceptional contributions in the successful completion of the initial reconnaissance of the Pluto system, providing humanity’s first up-close look at Pluto and its moons. (2016)
• STEREO Team Certificate of Achievement, NASA, Space Communications and Navigation – STEREO-B Recovery Team: For demonstration of the proficiency of uplink array commanding with widely spaced antennas to attempt the recovery of the STEREO-B spacecraft. (2016)
• Van Allen Probes Group Achievement Award, NASA (2013)
• New Horizons Group Achievement Award, NASA (2007)

Professional Organizations

AIAA