Instructors
Engineering services and short courses for the aerospace industry
Tom Sarafin has worked full time in the space industry since 1979, with over 13 years at Martin Marietta Astronautics, where he contributed to and led activities in structural analysis, design, and test, mostly for large spacecraft. Since founding Instar in 1993, he has consulted for Space Imaging, DigitalGlobe, AeroAstro, AFRL, and other organizations. He has helped the United States Air Force Academy design, develop, and verify a series of small satellites and has been an advisor to DARPA. He is the editor and principal author of Spacecraft Structures and Mechanisms: From Concept to Launch and is a contributing author to Space Mission Analysis and Design (all three editions). Since 1995, he has taught over 100 short courses to more than 2500 engineers and managers in the space industry.
Poti Doukas is a senior mechanical systems engineer with 29 years experience in space programs. He worked at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (formerly Martin Marietta Astronautics) from 1978 to 2006. Among other positions, he served as Engineering Manager for the Phoenix Mars Lander program, Mechanical Engineering Lead for the Genesis mission, Structures and Mechanisms Subsystem Lead for the Stardust program, and Structural Analysis Lead for the Mars Global Surveyor. He's a contributing author to Space Mission Analysis and Design (1st and 2nd editions) and to Spacecraft Structures and Mechanisms: From Concept to Launch. He joined Instar Engineering in July 2006.