Thornton Tomasetti make appointment to grow new space systems group

Air May 19, 2020

International engineering firm, Thornton Tomasetti, has announced that Islam Hussein has joined as a vice president in the firm’s Applied Science practice.

Mr 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 programme 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 areas such 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 endeavour for both myself and the firm, and I can’t wait to get started.”

A recognised expert in the space systems field, Hussein comes to the firm from global aerospace and defence 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.”

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