Vance McClure, PhD

Chief Science Director

Bud began his professional engineering career with a National Science Foundation Traineeship that included his thesis work in quantum mechanics and group theory of bonding in intermetallic compounds, molecules, complex ions and nuclei. He later worked for over 18 years as a senior scientist with Burt Rutan’s company, Scaled Composites, LLC, solving problems such as aero-thermal analysis for SpaceShipOne (SS1) and SpaceShipTwo (SS2) boost and re-entry thermal protection. Bud has exemplified the dedication and leadership required to engage in highly complex research, development and engineering across a broad range of aeronautical engineering, design, thermo-dynamic, molecular and material sciences.

A brief summary of his extensive scientific resume includes work done at McDonnell Douglas Technologies as Principal Investigator for IR&D projects that involved experimental and theoretical research into the interaction of radiation with matter. He also led code development for visible and infrared scene modeling and vehicle signature analysis at PAR Government Systems Corp. Bud’s additional work for Scaled Composites included but was not limited to: Structure optimization codes for liquid propellant launch vehicles, fire burn-over model and thermal design of fire shelters for personnel and vehicles and solar heating / aero cooling models for aircraft structures, fuel tanks and crew cabins. Recently, as principal of his own consulting practice, Bud designed the spacesuit-capsule interface, capsule life support system, electronics thermal control systems, and wrote mission simulation and control software for a balloon on ascent and parachute jump from 130,000 ft. for the Red Bull Mission to the Edge of Space Project.

In addition, Bud has authored a several manuscripts and published writings on complex topics such as: “Refraction of inhomogeneous waves in lossy anisotropic materials", “Heat exchange in fluids having temperature dependent heat capacity", and “Transport of heavy chlorinated hydrocarbons in the atmosphere”.

Education
Post Doctoral Fellow, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA. PhD in Physical Chemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA. BS Chemistry, minors in Mathematics and Physics, University of California, Riverside, CA. AB Chemistry, The Principia College, Elsah, Illinois.
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