SpaceWorks Engineering announces that veteran aerospace engineer Mr. Carl Ehrlich has joined the firm as an affiliate and technical advisor. He will assist the Advanced Concepts Group (ACG) on projects related to advanced space transportation system development. Mr. Ehrlich has over 40 years of active experience in the aerospace industry, having retired from a successful 25 year career at Boeing North American (formerly: Rockwell International). Prior to that, he was employed at the Lockheed-California and Douglas Aircraft Companies for a total of 15 years. He has also served with the United States Air Force in the Air Attaché Office of the American Embassy in Teheran, Iran.
“We are very pleased to have Carl join us as a partner. His wealth of industry experience will contribute greatly to our growing team.” said Dr. John Olds, Principal Engineer and CEO of SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. “His location in the southern California area will allow us to be more responsive to our clients in that part of the country.”
Throughout his active career, Mr. Ehrlich has managed and participated in a wide range of advanced space transportation projects ranging from the 10-Passenger Orbital Carrier and Ten Ton Orbital Carrier studies in 1963-5 for NASA Marshall Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to the management of the Highly Reusable Space Transportation study for NASA in 1997. He was responsible for the development and integration of the proposed Rockwell/Boeing RLV/X-33 vehicle general arrangement, flight performance, and design. In this capacity, he coordinated the Vehicle Design Product Development Team and was responsible for the aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, mass properties, airframe design, and structural analysis. He managed the Advanced Military Spaceflight Capability for the United States Air Force in 1980-1982, the Advanced Manned Launch System Study in 1989-1993 for the NASA/Langley Research Center, and managed the aerodynamic configuration development of the proposed Space Shuttle lifting body concept for the Lockheed Missile and Space Company in 1968-1970. During this period, he authored numerous papers and technical reports.
Most significantly, Mr. Ehrlich developed the design approach for minimizing otherwise excessive wing and elevon aerodynamic loads on the Space Shuttle orbiter during ascent. This approach eliminated a very expensive wing structural redesign and saved the government millions of dollars. This design has been used successfully on every Shuttle flight to date.
Since his retirement in 1998, Mr. Ehrlich has consulted with a number of aerospace companies focused on the development of operational concepts for advanced reusable launch and entry vehicle systems. He is an Associate Fellow with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and is currently a member and treasurer of the AIAA Space Transportation Technical Committee, a member of the AIAA Space Logistics Technical Committee, and Vice Chair for Membership and Treasurer for the AIAA San Fernando Pacific Section Executive Council.
Mr. Ehrlich has earned degrees from Stanford University in 1957 (Bachelor of Science in Aerodynamics) and the University of Southern California in 1967 (Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering). He also attended the Graduate School of Business & Management at the University of Southern California.
More information can be found at the SEI website: www.sei.aero.
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About SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI)
SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI) provides aerospace concept development services to both government and commercial clients. The firm’s capabilities range from technical and programmatic systems analysis of next-generation space systems to economic simulations of future outer space markets. SEI’s multi-disciplinary technical team consistently delivers accurate and unbiased analysis that meets demanding schedules and budgets. In addition, SEI develops leading-edge software analysis tools such as REDTOP, REDTOP-2, and Sentry for use by the advanced design community. The firm serves a wide and varied client base that includes NASA, the U.S. Air Force, as well as established and emerging commercial aerospace companies. SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI) is based in Atlanta, Georgia USA and is a privately held S-Corporation. For more information including a firm overview presentation, technical papers, biographies, etc. please see: www.sei.aero.
