International
engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti has launched a new Space Systems group as
it looks to break into the $1 trillion global space market.
Aerospace
engineer Islam Hussein has joined the company as a vice president in the firm’s
Applied Science practice.
Hussein,
who has more than 19 years of aerospace engineering experience, is charged with
the launch of the firm’s new Space Systems group, an advanced science and
technology research and development program targeting the space systems
industry.
The
newly formed group at Thornton Tomasetti will provide solutions to government
and commercial entities working in the aerospace field. It will focus on
defense and commercial technologies and their applications in such areas as
space systems architectures, space traffic management, space situational
awareness, on-orbit servicing and inspection, and satellite autonomy.
Based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, Hussein will look to identify opportunities for leveraging the firm’s existing capabilities and exploring new areas for growth.
“The
global space economy is predicted to surpass the $1 trillion mark in the next
20 years, and Thornton Tomasetti currently has the expertise and tools for
serving many of this industry’s complex needs,” said Hussein.
“There
are considerable synergies in structural analysis, information and data fusion
and artificial and machine learning, as well as potential to branch out into space
ecosystem resilience and sustainability. This is an exciting new endeavor for
both myself and the firm, and I can’t wait to get started.”
A
recognized expert in the space systems field, Hussein comes to the firm from
global aerospace and defense technology firm L3Harris, where he was a senior
research and development scientist.
He
holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering and master’s degrees in aerospace
engineering and applied mathematics from the University of Michigan as well as
a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the American University in
Cairo, Egypt.
Hussein
is a member of the American Astronautical Society, the American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers.
“In
collaboration with the rest of our Applied Science practice, Islam will be creating
a center of excellence dedicated to solving challenging problems faced by
clients in the aerospace field,” added Najib Abboud, Thornton Tomasetti’s
managing principal and Applied Science global practice leader.
“With
Islam’s knowledge of the space systems business and Thornton Tomasetti’s
commitment to innovation, I expect our Space Systems group to take us in
exciting new directions.”
