Dr. Walker’s primary research interests lie in electric propulsion, plasma physics, and hypersonic aerodynamics/plasma interaction. He has extensive design and testing experience with Hall thrusters and ion engines. Dr. Walker performed seminal work in Hall thruster clustering and vacuum chamber facility effects. His current research activities involve both theoretical and experimental work in advanced spacecraft propulsion systems, diagnostics, plasma physics, helicon plasma sources, space debris mitigation, magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, and pulsed inductive thrusters. Dr. Walker also serves as a corporate consultant around his area of expertise in top-tier organizations, e.g., Newell-Rubbermaid, Lockheed Martin, and NASA.

Ph.D. 2004 University of Michigan
M.S.E. 2000 University of Michigan
B.S.E. 1999 University of Michigan

High-Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory

Full Professor of Aerospace Engineering, 2017 - Present
W.R.T. Oakes Chair and Professor, 2024 - Present
John Young Chair, 2022 - 2023
Associate Dean of Academics Studies, 2022 - 2023
Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, 2019 - 2022
Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering, 2011 - 2017
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering, 2005 - 2011
Head of the High-Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory
Director of the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute

Course List
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering (AE 1601)
Thermodynamics and Fluid Fundamentals (AE 2010)
Technical Writing (AE 2611)
Aerodynamics (AE 3030)
Experimental Fluid Dynamics (AE 2610, AE 3610)
Jet and Rocket Propulsion (AE 4451)
Gasdynamics (AE 6050)
Rockets (AE 6450)
Electric Propulsion (AE 6451)

AIAA Science and Technology (SCITECH) Forum

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Fellow, 2023
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Sustained Service Award, 2020
Georgia Power Professor of Excellence, 2017
Provost's Emerging Leaders Program, Georgia Tech, 2017
National Academy of Engineering Symposium on Exploring a New Vision for Center-Based, Multidisciplinary Engineering Research, 2016
National Academy of Engineering US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, 2014
Lawrence Sperry Award, 2010
AFOSR Young Investigator Program Award, 2006
NASA Faculty Fellow, 2005
Class of 1969 Teaching Fellow, 2005
Arnold M. Kuethe Aerospace Engineering Fellowship, 2004
MEPO Academic Achievement Award, University of Michigan, 2001
Michigan Space Grant Consortium Graduate Fellowship, 2001, 2003
Rackham Merit Fellowship, University of Michigan (NSF sponsored), 2000
GEM Fellowship, 1999
Aerospace Engineering Distinguished Achievement Award, University of Michigan, 1998

33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference

National Academy Committees:
National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium Organizing Committee, Co-organizer for session “Engineering the Search for Earth-like Exoplanets,” 2015
National Research Council Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board Committee
Committee to Review the Air Force Reusable Booster System Study, 2011-2012

National Committees:
NASA Advisory Council - Technology, Innovation, and Engineering Committee, 2020 - Present
Department of Energy Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee, 2017 - Present
Electric Propulsion Operation in the Space Environment (EPOSE) Working Group NASA Asteroid Retrieval Mission Solar Electric Propulsion Analysis of Alternatives, 2013
NASA International Space Station Electric Propulsion Testbed Study Committee, 2011
National Institute for Rocket Propulsion Systems Solutions Provider Committee, 2011-Present

Society Memberships:
American Physical Society - Committee on Scientific Publications, 2018; Ethics Committee, 2019
Associate Editor – American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets since 2015
Editorial Board – Frontiers in Physics and Astronomy and Space Sciences – Plasma Physics since 2015
Member of AIAA - Associate Fellow
AIAA Deputy Director for Space Rockets and Advanced Propulsion
Chair of the AIAA Electric Propulsion Technical Committee
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME)
Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS), Board of Directors
General Chair, 35th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC), Atlanta, GA, October 2017.
Hydraulic Institute
Sigma Gamma Tau
Tau Beta Pi

Dr. Mitchell Walker has over 20 years experience in the field of electric propulsion as a researcher, consultant, and innovator. He is a tenured Professor in the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Aerospace Engineering and has authored more than 130 technical publications in the field of electric propulsion. As director of the High-Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory, Dr. Walker leads a team of research engineers, post-doctoral students, and Ph.D. students in electric propulsion and advanced space propulsion research. Beyond his basic research program, Dr. Walker consults in the areas of electric propulsion system design, root cause on-orbit anomaly investigation, spacecraft integration, advanced propulsion technology evaluation, electric propulsion technology development roadmaps, vacuum technology, and the development and review of technical proposals.

Dr. Walker performed seminal work in Hall thruster clustering and vacuum chamber facility effects and is renowned for his extensive design and testing experience with Hall thrusters and ion engines. His current research activities focus on both theoretical and experimental work in advanced spacecraft propulsion systems, diagnostics, plasma physics, helicon plasma sources, magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, and pulsed inductive thrusters.

For his research program, Dr. Walker has received numerous awards, including an AFOSR Young Investigator Program Award, the AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award, and selection as a NASA Faculty Fellow.

Dr. Walker teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, high-temperature gasdynamics, and propulsion. In addition, he delivers professional short courses in electric propulsion and vacuum science. Dr. Walker was selected as a Class of 1969 Teaching Fellow.

A Fellow of AIAA, Dr. Walker serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. His expertise in electric propulsion has proven invaluable to corporations, laboratories, and the Air Force. Consequently, he has served on the National Research Council Reusable Booster System Committee, the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist Advanced In-Space Propulsion Panel Review, and the NASA International Space Station Electric Propulsion Testbed Study Committee. Dr. Walker also serves on the National Institute for Rocket Propulsion Systems Technology Solutions Committee and the AIAA Electric Propulsion Technical Committee as Chair.  He has also chaired the AIAA Electric Propulsion Subcommittee for Technical Achievement Award.

Recognized as an innovator in electric propulsion, Dr. Walker holds patents for Dual Use Hydrazine Propulsion Systems, Ion Focusing in a Hall Effect Thrusters, and Cold Cathodes and Ion Thrusters and Methods of Making and Using Same. Dr. Walker is consistently called upon to develop and implement training materials and courses for his clients to meet critical needs and deficiencies in their operations.  Dr. Walker is available for consultations, technical development, and strategic planning in the areas of spacecraft propulsion, plasma physics, and vacuum technology.