Short Bio for
Wendell Keith Belvin
Present Affiliation:
Research and Technology Directorate
NASA Langley Research Center
Mail Stop 162, Hampton, VA 23681
Work: (757)864-4319 ,Cell: (757)846-3072, Fax: (757)864-8320
E-mail: w.k.belvin@nasa.gov
Education:
1980 - B. S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
1986 - M. S., Engineering and Applied Science, George Washington University
1989 - Ph. D., Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder
Current Interests:
Space vehicle structures and mechanisms design, large space apertures, deployable structures, structural dynamics and
impact, flexible structure control, and advanced material systems.
Experience: 1980 to Present NASA Langley Research Center, Aerospace Engineer
 Current Positions Senior Researcher for Advanced Structural/Thermal Systems and Chief Engineer for
Structures and Materials, NASA Langley Research and Technology Directorate.
 NASA, Lunar Lander Structures and Mechanisms Subsystem Technical Team Lead.
 NASA Engineering and Safety Center, Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Integrated Structures and Mechanisms
Technical Team Lead.
 NASA LaRC, Principal Research Manager for Advanced Structures and Materials Concepts
 NASA, Large Space Systems (LSS) Technology Project Lead
Background:
With over thirty years of experience at NASA, Dr. Belvin exercises technical leadership in materials and structures and
renders scientific and engineering judgment to assess Center technical products involving unique structural systems,
unusual materials and structures, structural modifications, and advanced composites. He serves as a Center Chief
Engineer and Agency technical authority and subject matter expert for structures and materials. As Senior Researcher,
he provides the strategic vision for R&D in emerging technologies with application to NASA mission and national needs.
Dr. Belvin led the Lunar Lander structures and mechanisms design during the first design analysis cycle. He led a multicenter team to perform the conceptual design and sizing analysis for the Ascent Stage, Habitation Module, and Descent
Stage. The physics based design tools used under Dr. Belvin’s leadership enabled accurate assessments of the
vehicles strength, stiffness, stability, and mass. Dr. Belvin also led the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) “smart buyer”
design of the CEV structures and mechanisms. Dr. Belvin rapidly assembled a team with the requisite skills and
provided guidance on structural design and material systems for the vehicle to insure all requirements and constraints
were satisfied. Dr. Belvin’s team identified potential Crew Module mass savings if a composite material system was
used for the pressure vessel.
Dr. Belvin is also a major contributor to the large space systems and gossamer structures community with internationally
recognized expertise in analysis and test methods. He has a strong desire to share his knowledge with colleagues and
students. He has served as an Adjunct Professor with several Universities to mentor doctoral students and is often
invited to give seminar and keynote talks to both academia and professional organizations. He is an Associate Fellow of
the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a member of the American Society for Metals (ASM).
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