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Michael Patterson

Title: Cross-Program Analysis & Strategy Lead

Technical Focus Area: Aeronautics Transportation System Analysis, Conceptual Aircraft Design, Aeronautics Strategy

Missions/Projects: Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Study Topics/Expertise: Advanced Air Mobility, Systems Analysis, Aircraft Design

Michael Patterson joined NASA in 2015, working in the Aeronautics Systems Analysis Branch (ASAB). His initial work focused on the conceptual design and high-lift propeller system of what became known as the X-57 Maxwell. He helped to organize and lead the On-Demand Mobility Roadmapping Workshops in 2015 and 2016 and became a thought leader in the on-demand mobility space.

After a brief time helping develop mission requirements and conceptual designs for urban air mobility (UAM) reference aircraft, Michael served as the Analysis Lead for the UAM Coordination and Assessment Team (UCAT). He then continued in a similar role for the advanced air mobility (AAM) mission, serving as the Concept of Operations and Analysis Lead for the AAM Mission Integration Office (AMIO). Concurrent to his time on UCAT and his first few years with the AMIO, Michael served as the lead for the ASAB’s Emerging Applications and Technologies Group, which focused primarily on AAM-related work. Michael served in a detail position supporting NASA Aeronautics strategy, the Systems Analysis and Decision Support Manager, in 2022-2024. Since completing his detail, he has returned to his role in the AMIO and now serves as ASAB’s Cross-Program Analysis & Strategy Lead.

Outside of NASA, Michael has been an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) his entire professional career, including previous service as the Chair of the Transformational Flight Program Committee. During his undergraduate years, he earned a private pilot’s license with an instrument rating.

Awards

  • Co-inventor on US Patent 12,006,030: Distributed Electric Propulsion Modular Wing Aircraft with Blown Wing and Extreme flaps for VTOL and/or STOL Flight, Jun 11, 2024.
  • 2022 NASA Group Achievement Award, X-57 Team
  • 2020 NASA Headquarters Group Honor Award – Excellence in Innovation Award, Advanced Air Mobility Team
  • Co-inventor on US Patent 10,189,565: Modular Unmanned Aerial System with Multi-Mode Propulsion, Jan 29, 2019.
  • Co-inventor on US Patent 10,196,143: System and Method for Modular Unmanned Aerial System, Feb 5, 2019.
  • 2019 NASA Early Career Achievement Medal
  • 2018 NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Associate Administrator “High Potentials” Award

Education/Professional Experience

  • Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, Auburn University
  • M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering), Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Engineering Co-op, Southern Research
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, Auburn University
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Aerospace Engineer, NASA Langley Research Center

Publications

  • Li, W, Geiselhart, K, Palma, R, Patterson, MD, Dollyhigh, S, Wang, Z, Hinze, N, and Trani, A, “Using Global Market Demand Analysis to Guide Conceptual Design of Low-Boom Supersonic Transports,” AIAA SciTech 2025 Forum, AIAA 2025-2679, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240013705.
  • Alexandrov, N, Sells, BE, and Patterson, MD, “MISTRAL: Concept and Analysis of Persistent Airborne Localization of GHG Emissions,” AIAA SciTech 2025 Forum, AIAA 2025-2840, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240015040.
  • Goodrich, KH, and Patterson, MD, “Gradual Transformation of Flight Continues,” Aerospace America, Dec 2024, https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/gradual-transformation-of-flight-continues/.
  • Edsel, A, Biswas, SD, Kilbourne, M, Gadre, R, Vashi, SJ, Mall, K, Crossley, W, DeLaurentis, DA, Patterson, MD, Sells, BE, “Exploring Ridesharing in Passenger Urban Air Mobility: A Comparative Analysis,” 34th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Sept 9-13, 2024, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240006802.
  • Biswas, SD, Edsel, A, Gadre, R, Kilbourne, M, Vashi, SJ, Mall, K, DeLaurentis, DA, Crossley, W, and Patterson, MD, “Passenger Aggregation Network With Very Efficient Listing (PANVEL) Ridesharing Model for Urban Air Mobility,” AIAA AVIATION Forum 2024, AIAA 2024-3558, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240007835.
  • Vashi, SJ, Edsel, A, Biswas, SD, Morgan, G, Kilbourne, M, Gadre, R, Mall, K, DeLaurentis, DA, Crossley, W, Patterson, MD, Sells, BE, “Refined Analysis of CO2 Emissions in Urban Air Mobility Networks,” AIAA AVIATION Forum 2024, AIAA 2024-3727, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240008087.
  • Goodrich, KH, and Patterson, MD, “Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Developers Prepare for Passenger Service,” Aerospace America, Dec 2023, https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/advanced-air-mobility-aircraft-developers-prepare-for-passenger-service/.
  • Borer, NK, Blaesser, NJ, and Patterson, MD, “Regulatory Considerations for Future Regional Air Mobility Aircraft,” AIAA AVIATION 2023 Forum, AIAA 2023-3294, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20230006666.
  • Goodrich, KH, and Patterson, MD, “Transformational Flight Prepares Path to Operations,” Aerospace America, Dec 2022, https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/transformational-flight-prepares-path-to-operations/.
  • Garrow, LA, German, BJ, Schwab, NT, Patterson, MD, Mendonca, NL, Gawdiak, YO, and Murphy, JR, “A Proposed Taxonomy for Advanced Air Mobility,” AIAA Aviation 2022 Forum, AIAA 2022-3321, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20220006225.
  • Mendonca, NL, Murphy, JR, Patterson, MD, Alexander, R, Juárez, G, and Harper, C, “Advanced Air Mobility Vertiport Considerations: A List and Overview,” AIAA Aviation 2022 Forum, AIAA 2022-4073, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20220007100.
  • Goodrich, KH, and Patterson, MD, “Transformational Flight Business Ramps Up with Mergers and Purchase Orders,” Aerospace America, Dec 2021, https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/transformational-flight-business-ramps-up-with-mergers-and-purchase-orders/.
  • Patterson, MD, Isaacson, DR, Mendonca, NL, Neogi, NA, Goodrich, KH, Metcalfe, M, Bastedo, W, Metts, C, Hill, BP, DeCarme, D, Griffin, C, and Wiggins, S, “An Initial Concept for Intermediate-State, Passenger-Carrying Urban Air Mobility Operations,” AIAA SciTech 2021 Forum, AIAA 2021-1626, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20205010104.
  • Antcliff et al., “Regional Air Mobility: Leveraging Our National Investments to Energize the American Travel Experience,” White Paper, April 2021, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20210014033.
  • Goodrich, KH, and Patterson, MD, “Transformational Flight Prototyping Strong in 2020,” Aerospace America, Dec 2020, https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/transformational-flight-prototyping-strong-in-2020/.
  • Borer, NK and Patterson, MD, “X-57 High-Lift Propeller Control Schedule Development,” AIAA Aviation 2020 Forum, AIAA 2020-3091, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20205010303.
  • McSwain, RG, Geuther, SC, Howland, G, Patterson, MD, Whiteside, SK, and North, DD, “An Experimental Approach to a Rapid Propulsion and Aeronautics Concepts Testbed,” NASA/TM–2020-220437, 2020, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20200000698.
  • Pollard, BP, Patterson, MD, and Whiteside SKS, “A Combined Blade Element and Vortex Panel Method for Stacked Rotor Analysis,” AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum, AIAA 2019-3004.
  • Whiteside, SKS, Zawodny, NS, Fei, X, Pettingill, NA, Patterson, MD and Rothhaar, PM, “An Exploration of the Performance and Acoustic Characteristics of UAV-Scale Stacked Rotor Configurations,” AIAA SciTech 2019 Forum, AIAA 2019-1071.
  • Kohlman, LW, Patterson, MD, and Raabe, BE, “Urban Air Mobility Network and Vehicle Type—Modeling and Assessment,” NASA/TM—2019–220072, 2019, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20190001282.
  • Kohlman, LW and Patterson, MD, “System-Level Urban Air Mobility Transportation Modeling and Determination of Energy-Related Constraints,” 2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2018-3677.
  • Silva, C, Johnson, WR, Patterson, MD, and Antcliff, KR, “VTOL Urban Air Mobility Concept Vehicles for Technology Development,” 2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2018-3847.
  • Thipphavong, DT, Apaza, RD, Barmore, BE, Battiste, V, Belcastro, CM, Burian, BK, Dao, QV, Feary, MS, Go, S, Goodrich, KH, Homola, JR, Idris, HR, Kopardekar, PH, Lachter, JB, Neogi, NA, Ng, HK, Oseguera-Lohr, RM, Patterson, MD, and Verma, SA, “Urban Air Mobility Airspace Integration Concepts and Considerations,” 2018 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2018-3676.
  • Patterson, MD, Antcliff, KR, and Kohlman, LW, “A Proposed Approach to Studying Urban Air Mobility Missions Including an Initial Exploration of Mission Requirements,” AHS International 74th Annual Forum & Technology Display, 2018, https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20190000991.
  • Fei, X, German BJ, and Patterson, MD, “Exploring the Effects of Installation Geometry in High-Lift Propeller Systems,” 2018 AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA 2018-0277.
  • Patterson, MD and Borer, NK, “Approach Considerations in Aircraft with High-Lift Propeller Systems,” 17th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2017-3782.
  • Litherland, BL, Patterson, MD, Derlaga, JM, and Borer, NK, “A Method for Designing Conforming Folding Propellers,” 17th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2017-3781.
  • Patterson, MD, Quinlan, JR, Fredericks, WJ, Tse, E, and Bakhle, I, “A Modular Unmanned Aerial System For Missions Requiring Distributed Aerial Presence or Payload Delivery,” 55th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA 2017-0210.
  • Borer, NK, Derlaga, JM, Deere, KA, Carter, MB, Viken, S, Patterson, MD, Litherland, BL, and Stoll, AM, “Comparison of Aero-Propulsive Performance Predictions for Distributed Propulsion Configurations,” 55th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA 2017-0209.
  • Patterson, MD, “Conceptual Design of High-Lift Propeller Systems for Small Electric Aircraft,” Georgia Institute of Technology, August 2016
  • Patterson, MD, Derlaga, JM, and Borer, NK, “High-Lift Propeller System Configuration Selection for NASA’s SCEPTOR Distributed Electric Propulsion Flight Demonstrator,” 16th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2016-3922.
  • Borer, NK, Patterson, MD, Viken, JK, Mark D. Moore, Bevirt, J, Stoll, AM, and Gibson, AR, “Design and Performance of the NASA SCEPTOR Distributed Electric Propulsion Flight Demonstrator,” 16th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2016-3920.
  • Patterson, MD, Borer, NK, and German, BJ, “A Simple Method for High-Lift Propeller Conceptual Design,” 54th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA 2016-0770.
  • Patterson, MD and German, BJ, “Simplified Aerodynamics Models to Predict the Effects of Upstream Propellers on Wing Lift,” 53rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA SciTech Forum, AIAA 2015-1673.
  • Patterson, MD and German, BJ, “Wing Aerodynamic Analysis Incorporating One-Way Interaction with Distributed Propellers,” 14th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 16-20, 2014, AIAA 2014-2852.
  • Patterson, MD, Daskilewicz, MJ, and German, BJ, “Conceptual Design of Electric Aircraft with Distributed Propellers: Multidisciplinary Analysis Needs and Aerodynamic Modeling Development,” 52nd Aerospace Sciences Meeting, National Harbor, MD, Jan. 13-17, 2014, AIAA-2014-0534.
  • Moore, MD, Goodrich, KH, Viken, JK, Smith, J, Fredericks, WJ, Trani, A, Barraclough, J, German, BJ, and Patterson, MD, “High Speed Mobility through On-Demand Aviation,” 2013 Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations Conference, AIAA 2013-4373.
  • Patterson, MD, German, BJ, and Moore, MD, “Performance Analysis and Design of On-Demand Electric Aircraft Concepts,” 12th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference and 14th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference. Indianapolis, IN. Sept. 17-19, 2012. AIAA-2012-5474.
  • Patterson, MD, Pate, DJ, and German, BJ, “Performance Flexibility of Reconfigurable Families of Unmanned Air Vehicles,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 49, No. 6 (2012), pp 1831-1843.
  • Pate, DJ, Patterson, MD, and German, BJ, “Optimizing Families of Reconfigurable Aircraft for Multiple Missions,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 49, No. 6 (2012), pp. 1988-2000.
  • German, BJ, Patterson, MD, and Takahashi, TT, “Reachability of Optimal Cruise Conditions,” 50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Nashville, TN, Jan. 9-12, 2012. AIAA-2012-1036.
  • Patterson, MD, Pate, DJ, and German BJ, “Performance Flexibility of a Reconfigurable Family of UAVs,” 11th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference, Virginia Beach, VA, Sep. 20-22, 2011. AIAA-2011-6851.
  • Pate, DJ, Patterson, MD, and German BJ, “Methods for Optimizing a Family of Reconfigurable Aircraft,” 11th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference, Virginia Beach, VA, Sep. 20-22, 2011. AIAA-2011-6850.

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