NASA awards Duesterhaus for outstanding leadership

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  NASA Ames Research Center recently awarded the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal to Dave Duesterhaus, currently the chief of the Technology Branch in the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) Test Division.

He was awarded for his outstanding leadership in the operation of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) which ensured the successful completion of critical NASA wind tunnel test programs.

Duesterhaus served as the NFAC director from 2008 - 2012. He lead the NFAC in test programs such as the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) parachute development and flight verification; the Advanced Model for Extreme Lift and Improved Aeroacoustics (AMELIA); the UH-60A Individual Blade Control rotor and Airloads rotor; and the NASA Hypersonic Inflatable Aerial Decelerator (HIADS).

"The results from these tests have provided critical data for the development of both aeronautic and space systems," said Dr. William Warmbrodt, NASA Ames Research Center Aeromechanics Branch chief. "Mr. Duesterhaus' leadership and ability to effectively manage resources was critical to the timely completion of these important NASA test programs."

Warmbrodt recognized Duesterhaus' ability to communicate the complex missions to different members of government and the aerospace community.

"His direct collaboration with other government leaders, especially in the U.S. Army and NASA, has ensured a consistent understanding of the benefits and challenges of operating such a unique facility. Through his leadership, the NFAC was successfully able to complete 14 major test programs over the past four years, providing direct support to NASA, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and the Department of Energy."

Duesterhaus began his career at AEDC in 1972 with Sverdrup Technology, Inc. where he conducted applied technology on advanced test techniques for propulsion systems. He then joined the AEDC U.S. Air Force civilian staff in 1981.