Faculty and Staff

John E. Cochran, Jr.

Professor and Head, Aerospace Engineering

BIOGRAPHY

John E. Cochran, Jr. is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University. He has held this position since 1993. Dr. Cochran received his bachelor’s (1966, with highest honors) and masters (1967) degrees from Auburn University and the Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin (1970), all in aerospace engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer. He earned a J.D. degree from Jones Law School (1976) and is a licensed attorney (Alabama, 1977). During over 35 years in teaching and research concerned with a range of topics in the areas of astrodynamics, guidance, dynamics, control, and stability of motion. Dr. Cochran has taught numerous courses, including basic and advanced astrodynamics, aircraft stability and control, dynamics of flight, aircraft structures, optimal control, spacecraft attitude dynamics and control, and engineering law and ethics. He is the author or co-author of more than 150 technical papers and reports. Many of his journal publications deal with spacecraft attitude dynamics and control. Working with graduate students, Dr. Cochran has also developed simulations of aerospace systems including towed maneuverable atmospheric flight vehicles, missile launchers, and tethered satellites. His current research interests include modeling and simulation of transportation systems. As a consultant to engineering firms and corporations, Dr. Cochran has provided technical advice in the areas of dynamics and guidance and control of airplanes, missiles, fixed-wing and helicopters and spacecraft. He has consulted with law firms on product liability cases and the Department of Justice on intellectual property issues. In addition, he has presented seminars to engineers on legal topics such as contracts, products liability, professional liability, and environmental law.