John L. Junkins (NAE) is a Distinguished Professor at the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University. He holds the George J. Eppright Chair of Engineering and Director of the Center for Mechanics and Control. Dr. Junkins is one of the nation’s premier experts in the development of spacecraft navigation, guidance and control mechanisms. He founded Texas A&M’s Center for Mechanics and Control in 1992. He is a leader in research related to the development of smaller, more intelligent, and more adaptive spacecraft to take full advantage of recent advances in photonics, microelectronics, and control theory. Dr. Junkins is the recipient of the Frank J. Malina Medal from the International Astronautical Federation.