Space Dynamics Laboratory's Pat Patterson Selected as AIAA Associate Fellow

NORTH LOGAN, Utah — The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has selected Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory Director of Advanced Concepts Pat Patterson as a member of the Class of 2027 AIAA Associate Fellows, recognizing a nearly four-decade career advancing space systems for national and scientific missions.

The grade of AIAA Associate Fellow is reserved for individuals who have accomplished important engineering or scientific work, performed original work of outstanding merit, or made significant contributions to aeronautics or astronautics. According to AIAA, only 17% of its members are ever selected for the distinction.

Patterson’s AIAA citation reads: “For his distinctive and broad history in space systems engineering for upper atmospheric research, small satellite research and development, and mission operations planning.”

“Pat’s selection as an AIAA Associate Fellow is a well-deserved acknowledgment of the expertise and perspective he has brought to the aerospace community throughout his career,” said Niel Holt, SDL’s executive director for strategic development. “It also speaks to the depth of knowledge across SDL. Our ability to solve difficult problems for our partners depends on people like Pat who have spent their careers advancing their fields while working alongside and developing the next generation of experts.”

Patterson joined SDL in 1988 as a student employee and was subsequently hired as a full-time electrical engineer in 1991. He has since served in engineering, program management, and executive roles. His work has spanned sounding rocket missions, spacecraft development, and space operations. Today, as director of advanced concepts, he helps identify technologies that can address emerging national security and science exploration needs and guides promising concepts toward mission applications.

Beyond his work at SDL, Patterson has contributed to the broader aerospace community through technical and advisory roles. He served multiple terms on the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, the Science Committee of the NASA Advisory Council, and currently serves on the AIAA Small Satellite Technical Committee and USU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Board.

Patterson has also played a prominent role in the growth of the small satellite community. He has chaired the Small Satellite Conference for 27 years, a period during which attendance has grown tenfold. The conference now brings together more than 1,300 organizations from 48 countries.

“I’ve had the privilege of spending my career working with exceptionally talented people to advance space systems and capabilities,” Patterson said. “To be named an AIAA Associate Fellow by peers in the aerospace community is a tremendous honor, and I’m grateful to everyone I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from along the way.”

Patterson earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from USU. His doctoral research used NASA sounding rocket missions launched from Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska, to study atomic oxygen in the upper atmosphere. He also served as an adjunct assistant professor in USU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2008.

The Class of 2027 AIAA Associate Fellows will be formally inducted Jan. 13, 2027, during the AIAA SciTech Forum in Orlando, Florida.

Headquartered at USU’s Innovation Campus in North Logan, Utah, SDL solves technical challenges faced by the military, science community, and industry and supports NASA’s vision to explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all. SDL has field offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Chantilly, Virginia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Huntsville, Alabama; Ogden, Utah; and Stafford, Virginia. For more information, visit sdl.usu.edu.