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John Hobbs
John Hobbs is a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.) and European Engineer (Eur.Ing.) with formal education in Mechanical Engineering (Bristol Polytechnic) and Aircraft Design (M.Sc. Cranfield). His interests are focussed on autonomy and system installation aspects of spacecraft and planetary exploration systems. Whilst with Astrium, he collaborated with the Open University and Leicester University on the configuration design of the Beagle 2 spacecraft, and also with the University of Sussex, Brunel Institute of Bioengineering, Space Innovations Ltd., SSSL, the Open University and University of Glasgow on the British National Space Centre’s Space Foresight ‘Improved Mission Autonomy and Robustness’ (IMAR) programme.
Contact Information
Email: john.hobbs@airbus.com
Selected Publications
Hobbs J, Rooney J "Kinematic Structure for Robust Mechanical Architectures in Robotic Planetary Exploration" in proc. 5th. International Conference on Dynamics and Control of Systems and Structures in Space, 14th – 18th July 2002, Kings College, Cambridge [pdf]
Hobbs J "The BNSC Space Foresight Improved Mission Autonomy and Robustness Programme" in proc. 5th. International Conference on Dynamics and Control of Systems and Structures in Space, 14th – 18th July 2002, Kings College, Cambridge [pdf]
Hobbs J, Rooney J "Towards Kinematic Classification Schemes for Planetary Surface Locomotion Systems", Mechatronics, Volume 13, Issue 2, March 2003, pp 153-174 [pdf]
Hobbs J, Husbands P and Harvey I (1996) "Achieving Improved Mission Robustness" in proc ASTRA ‘96, ESTEC, Noordwijk, Holland, 6-7 November 1996 [pdf]
Current Projects
Currently undertaking external research at the OU into novel methods of addressing the robustness to failure of autonomous planetary exploration systems. The work looks at ways of applying established graph theoretical methods, and associated mathematical techniques, to the description of system fault modes. Distance analogues describing the similarity of systems one to another are also developed. Such characterisations can be used for system selection on the basis of suitability for defined missions.
Curriculum Vitae
2002 to current: Airbus, Bristol – Senior Architect, In-Service Wings - responsible for structural design philosophy for the ongoing development of in-service Airbus aircraft wing structures (from 2006). Transnational manager leading multinational team responsible for aspects of Airbus structure and system installation design quality (2002 - 2006).
2000 to 2001: Astrium, Stevenage - Head of Technology, Earth Observation and Science Division (UK) - responsible for evolution and coordination of programmes of R&D and technology development for Earth Observation and Science spacecraft.
1998 to 2000: British Aerospace, Airbus, Bristol – Engineering Manager managing design staff working on wing design of Airbus variants, and on Customer Support..
1989 to 1998: Matra Marconi Space (British Aerospace Space Systems), Bristol – Earth Observation and Science Division: Positions leading to Head of Mechanical Engineering managing staff working on structural, thermal, mechanisms, and 'drawing office' aspects of scientific spacecraft design.
1976 to 1989: British Aerospace Dynamics Group, Bristol - Various mechanical engineering positions working on naval and airborne systems, leading to positions as Project Engineer and Project Manager, and subsequently to IT Business Support Manager.
1970 to 1976: British Aircraft Corporation / British Aerospace Commercial Aircraft Division, Bristol – Systems engineer and design draughtsman, Concorde
Page Last Updated: 9 April, 2008