Ryan Fahsbender

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology Lead

• Manage a team of engineers responsible for formulation and execution of Sierra Space's strategy to vertically integrate, develop, and implement advanced materials and manufacturing technologies across Sierra Space's product lines. Areas of focus include vertical integration of composite structures technologies for spacecraft, development of novel thermal protection systems for reentry vehicles, and widespread implementation of additive manufacturing for cost avoidance.
• Principal Investigator for multiple awarded Cooperative Research and Development programs across government agencies and technology thrusts. My portfolio of government funded R&D projects include Department of Energy Grants for advanced manufacturing technologies, NASA agency collaboration awards for thermal protection systems, and AFRL collaborations for in space material screening.

Shooting Star Cargo Module Test and Verification Lead

• Successfully led a cross discipline team of design engineers, structural analysts, and test engineers responsible for the test and verification of the Dream Chaser Cargo Module's primary structure. Shooting star is the first composite pressure vessel to be certified for docking with the ISS.

Unmanned Dream Chaser Staff Materials and Manufacturing Lead

• Planned and executed a multi-year materials development program to support the design, build, and certification of a state of the art composite co-bonded reentry vehicle. Program addressed flaw initiation and damage tolerance of 3d woven bonded joints, static and cyclic strength of composite materials, and the effects of space environments on composite structures.

Orion Spacecraft

• Materials development lead for the Orion capsule’s composite aeroshell and heatshield. Successfully led the materials team to a CDR level of maturity and through hardware production. This development program built and certified a damage tolerant high temperature composite structure for manned lunar reentry.

ISR Business Area Materials and Process Lead

• Managed all aspects of materials and process engineering for the SNC ISR business area. My contributions include creation and management of the company test lab, development of multiple M&P specifications, and generation of joint and material allowables.

Dream Chaser Orbital Test Vehicle

• Material and Process development lead for the Dream Chaser structure. Successfully executed a materials development program to advance the TRL and MRL of advanced composite materials and 3D woven composite preforms for application in primarily composite co-bonded spacecraft.

Space Shuttle Program

• Contributor to a team of interdisciplinary engineers and technicians responsible for MRB support during turnaround operations of the Space Shuttle Orbiters. Team was responsible for maintenance of the Orbiter's thermal protection system and structure.