Marcos Fernandez-Tous

SpSt 570- Advanced topics in space studies: Hypersonic aerodynamics.

SpSt 509- Space propulsion systems.

SpSt 511- Electric space propulsion.

SpSt 570- Advanced topics in space studies: Nuclear space propulsion.

SpSt 570- Advanced topics in spoace studies: Air-breathing engines.

• Space propulsion (chemical, electric, nuclear).
• Air brething engines.
• Hypersonic aerodynamics.
• Aerospace engineering.
• Aerospace structures.
• Thermal systems.
• Spacecraft reentry effect (ablative processes).

We also have a space propulsion lab, where we are building up two test stands, one for ablative thrusters and another for solid propulsion. The purpose is to improve diagnostic techniques for rockets.

del Canto Viterale, F., Crisman, K., de Leon, P., Dodge, M., Fernandez-Tous, M., Fevig, R., Fieber-Beyer, S., & Kugler, D. (2024. October 14-18). Pioneering space education at the posgraduate level- the case of the Universsity of North Dakota. [Conference session]. 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Milan, Italy.

Guddanti, S. S., & Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024, October 14-18) Propulsion system for Mars mission: alternatives and opportunities. [Conference session] 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Milan, Italy.

Dodge, Michael-S., Fernandez-Tous, M., & Nair, Preeti. (2024, October 14-18) Nuclear powered rockets: Legal issues and perspectives. [Conference session] 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Milan, Italy.

[Presentation] Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024, September 11). Effects of ablation processes in hypersonic reentry vehicles over the stratosphere. Future Aerospace Strategic Thinking (FAST). https://aerosol.atmos.und.edu/workshops.html 

Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024, June 27). The science behind splashdown − an aerospace engineer explains how NASA and SpaceX get spacecraft safely back on Earth. The conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-science-behind-splashdown-an-aerospace-engineer-explains-how-nasa-and-spacex-get-spacecraft-safely-back-on-earth-232786 Live at WAMV ((The Academic Minute: https://academicminute.org/2024/11/splashdown-a-rockets-cannonball/): 

Del Canto Viterale, F., & Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024). Electric Propulsion in Space: Technology and Geopolitics. Astropolitics, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/14777622.2024.2379524

Fernandez-Tous, M. (2022, October 26-29). A Receiver-Only time Synchronization protocol for UAS. Simulation results. [Conference Session] 2022 IEEE 13th Annual Ubiquitous Commuting, Electronics and Mobile Communication Conference (UEMCON), virtual conference. Awarded best paper certificate in the session Robotics; Cloud networks.

Adjekum, D. K. & Fernandez-Tous, M. (2020). Assessing the relationship between organizational management factors and a resilient safety culture in a collegiate aviation progra, with Safety Management System (SMS). Safety Science, 131, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104909

Adjekum, D. K., & Fernandez-Tous, M. (2020). Assessing cultural drivers of safety resilience in a collegiate aviation program. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 38(1), 122-147. Retrieved from http://ojs.library.okstate.eedu/osu/index.php/CARI/article/view8012/7386

North Dakota Space Grant Consortium, September 2021.

Daniel and JoEmily Nieuwsma Scholarship award, May 2019.

Member of Tripoli Rocketry ASsociation (2022).

Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2023).

RadioHam: Amateur Extra.

Ms.C. Aerospace Engineering (2001), Polytechnic University of Madrid.

Ph.D. Aerospace Sciences (2022), University of North Dakota.

LinkedIn profile here.

In this section, you will find inspiring readings as you travel through your program.

• Al-Khalili, Jim. (2020). The world according to physics. 0Princeton University Press.
• Bertoline, Gary R. (Ed.) (2024). The inclusive engineering mindset. American Sociwty for Engineering Education
• Bird, Kai & Sherwin, Martin J. (2005). American Prometheus. The triumph and tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Vintage Books.
• Canepa, Mark. (2019). Large and dangerous rocket ships. The history of high-power rocketry's ascent to the edges of outer space. Trafford Publishing.
• Carlson, W. Bernard. (2015). Tesla. Inventor of the electrical age. Princeton Press.
• Chertok, Boris. (2013). Rockets and people. (4 vol.). NASA.
• Collins, Michael. (2019). Carrying the fire. An astronaut's journey. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• de Chiara, Giuseppe, & Gorn, Michael H. (2018). Spacecraft. Quarto Publishing Group. 
• Eckardt, Dietrich. (2022). Jet Web. Connections in the development history of turbojet engines 1920-1950. Springer
• Jungk, Robert. (1970). Brighter than a thousand suns. A personal history of the atomic scientists. Harcourt Books.
• Kissinger, Henry, Schmidt, Eric, & Huttenlocker, Daniel. (2023). The age fof AI and our human future.  Little, Brown and Company.
• Kovalchik, Dan. (2024). Days of Delta thunder.
• Neufeld, Michael J. (2008). Von Braun. Dreamer of space, engineer of war. Vintage Books.
• Norris, Robert S. (2002). Racing for the bomb. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
• Pendle, George. (2006). Strange angel. The otherwordly life of rocket scientist John Whiteside Parsons. Harcourt Books.
• Skinner, B. F. (1971). Beyond freedom and dignity. Bantam/Vintage Books.
• Stern, Alan & Grinspoon, David. (2019). Chasing New Horizons. Inside the epic first mmision to Pluto. Picador.
• Serber, Robert. (2020). The Los Alamos primer. The first lectures on how to build an atomic bomb. University California Press.
• Sinek, Simon. (2009). Start with WHY. How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Portfolio Penguin.
• Suarez, Daniel. Critical mass. (2023). Penguin Random House.
• Vincenti, Walter G. (1993) What engineers know and how they know it. John Hopkins University Press.
• Wair, Andy (2022). Project Hail Mary. Ballantine Books.