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 breathing 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.

[In process] Fernandez-Tous, M., & Guddanti, Sai S. (2024). In-space maintenance: A historical approach. The Journal of Space Safety Engineering

[In process] Bhatnagar, T., Guddanti, S. S., & Fernadnez-Tous, M. (2025). Current Status of Technologies to Monitor and Mitigate Thruster Plasma Effects on Spacecraft Systems. GLEX-25, 15.

[In process] Guddanti, S.-S., Fernadnez-Tous, M., & Vidhyadharan Nair, S. (2025). Control System for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Analysis of Past and Present Techniques for Future Space Missions. GLEX-2025-3.3.1.X92316, 15.

[In process] Guddanti, S. S., del Canto Viterale, F., Fernandez-Tous, M., Gupta, P., de Leon, P., Urlacher, B., & Zhang, C. (2025). Geopolitical and Geo-economic Implications of Recent Advances  in Space Propulsion and Hypersonic Technologies. GLEX-2025-1.2.3.X92901, 15.

Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024, December 12). NASA’s crew capsule had heat shield issues during Artemis I − an aerospace expert on these critical spacecraft components. The conversation. https://theconversation.com/nasas-crew-capsule-had-heat-shield-issues-during-artemis-i-an-aerospace-expert-on-these-critical-spacecraft-components-245615

[Presentation] Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024, December 11). Geopolitical and Geo-economics Implications on Recent Advances in Space Propulsion and Hypersonic Technologies. Early Career Scholars Program (ECSP).

[Presentation] Fernandez-Tous, M. (2024, December 11). Development of Advanced Propulsion and Orbit Management Technologies for the
Deployment and Operation of Constellation of Low Earth Orbit Satellites. Early Career Scholars Program (ECSP).

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.
• Chemerinsky, Erwin, & Gillman, Howard. (2017). Free speech on campus. Yale University Press.
• Chertok, Boris. (2013). Rockets and people. (4 vol.). NASA.
• Clary, david A. (2003). Rocket man. Robert H. Goddard and the birth of the space age. Hyperion books.
• Collins, Michael. (2019). Carrying the fire. An astronaut's journey. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Conner, M. (2001). Hans von Ohain: Elegance in flight. AIAA
• de Chiara, Giuseppe, & Gorn, Michael H. (2018). Spacecraft. Quarto Publishing Group. 
• Dyson, George. (2002). Project Orion. The true story of the atomic spaceship. Henry Holt and company LLC.
• Eckardt, Dietrich. (2022). Jet Web. Connections in the development history of turbojet engines 1920-1950. Springer
• Emme, Eugene M. (Ed.). (1964). The history of rocket technology. Wayne State University Press.
• Hampton, Dan. (2018). Chasing the demon. A secret history of the quest for the sound barrier, and the band of American aces who conquered it. HarperCollins.
• Heppenheimer, T. A. (2018). Facing the heat barrier. A history of hypersonics. Dover publications.
• Jungk, Robert. (1970). Brighter than a thousand suns. A personal history of the atomic scientists. Harcourt Books.
• Kahn, Jeremy. (2024). Mastering AI. A survival guide to our superpowered future. Simon & Schuster.
• 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. Independenlty published.
• Leamnson, Robert. (1999). Thinking about teachig and learning. Developing habits of learning with first eyar college and university students. Stylus.
• Kramer, Robert S. (2006). Rocketdyne: Powering humans into space. AIAA. 
• Lindbergh, C. A. (1993). The Spirit of St. Louis. Minnesota Historic Scoiety Press.
• Macinnis, Peter. (2003). Rockets. Sulfur, Sputnik and scramjets. Allen & Unwin.
• 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.
• Powell, Joel W. (1971). Go for launch. An innustrated history of Cape Canaveral. Apogeee 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.
• Soojung-Kim Pang, Alex. (2021). Rest. Why you get more done when you work less. Basic books.
• Suarez, Daniel. Critical mass. (2023). Penguin Random House.
• Sutton, Richard S. & Barto, Andrew G. (1998).  Reinforcement learning. An introduction. The MIT Press.
• Tchaikovsky, Adrian. (2015). Children of time. Tor UK.
• Tchaikovsky, Adrian. (2024). Children of ruin. Tor UK.
• Vance, Ashley. (2017). Elon Musk. El creador de Tesla, PayPal y SpaceX que anticipa el futuro. Paidos Empresa. (Trad: Francisco López Martín).
• Vincenti, Walter G. (1993) What engineers know and how they know it. John Hopkins University Press.
• Wair, Andy (2022). Project Hail Mary. Ballantine Books.
• Wiggins, Grant, & McTighe, Jay. (2005). Understanding by design. 2nd edition. ASCD.