- Principal Research Engineer III
- Email: diane.davis@tamu.edu
- Office: HRBB 750 C
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University – 2011
- M.S.E., Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Austin – 2001
- B. S., Physics, Texas A&M University – 1999
Research Interests
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- Multibody Astrodynamics
- Cislunar Space Traffic Management
- Spacecraft Orbit Maintenance
- Trajectory Design
Awards & Honors
- Fellow, AAS
- NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal, 2022
- NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal, 2019
Selected Publications
- Davis, D. C., E. M. Zimovan-Spreen, S. T. Scheuerle, and K. C. Howell, “Dynamics of Jettison during Earth-to-NRHO Transfers,” Acta Astronautica; Vol. 236, November 2025.
- Boudad, K. K., K. C. Howell, and D. C. Davis, “Departure and Escape Dynamics from the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbits in the Earth-Moon-Sun System," Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 69, No 4, August 2022.
- Zimovan-Spreen, E. M., K. C. Howell, and D. C. Davis, “Dynamical Structures Nearby NRHOs with Applications to Transfer Design in Cislunar Space,” Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 69, June 2022.
- Boudad, K. K., K. C. Howell, and D. C. Davis, “Dynamics of Synodic Resonant Near Rectilinear Halo Orbits in the Bicircular Restricted Four-Body Problem,” Advances in Space Research, Vol. 66, No. 9, 2020
- Zimovan-Spreen, E. M., K. C. Howell, and D. C. Davis, “Near Rectilinear Halo Orbits and Nearby Higher-Period Dynamical Structures: Orbital Stability and Resonance Properties,” Celestial Mech. and Dynamical Astronomy, Vol. 132, No. 28, 2020.
- Davis, D. C., S. M. Phillips, and B. P. McCarthy, “Trajectory Design for Saturnian Ocean Worlds Orbiters using Multidimensional Poincaré Maps,” Acta Astronautica, Vol 143, 2018.
- Davis, D. C. and K. C. Howell, “Characterization of Trajectories Near the Smaller Primary in the Restricted Problem for Applications," Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2012.