David Vallado: Senior research astrodynamicist Center for Space

David Vallado has been tied to Colorado Springs for the last 30 years.

He originally came here to attend the Air Force Academy, and witnessed the area's dynamic growth first-hand during the ensuing decades.

As a senior research astrodynamicist for the Center for Space Standards and Innovation, Vallado is at the forefront of space analysis and applications technology.

He took time recently to tell CSBJ about himself and his work.

Organization: Center for Space Standards and Innovation, the research and educational outreach arm of Analytical Graphics Inc.

Position: Senior research astrodynamicist

Hometown: Parsippany, N.J.

How long have you lived in Colorado Springs: In and out for the last 30 years (more than 17, combined)

Education: Bachelor's degree in astronautical engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy; master's degree in systems management, University of Southern California; master's degree in astronautical engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology

A few words about your company: We produce state-of-the-art software for land, sea, air and space analysis and applications. The commercial off-the-shelf software supports national security and space professionals throughout the Department of Defense, commercial and international communities.

Recent accomplishments: Just finishing the third edition of my book, "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications."

Biggest career break: There have been many: getting into the Air Force Academy, each assignment in the Air Force, time at Raytheon, being hired with AGI. Each position has granted me the opportunity to learn and contribute.

The toughest part of your job: Trying to convince folks that the "old way" of doing things may not be as good as we can do today. There's a lot of reluctance to change in general, and the technical community is no exception.

Someone you admire: Vladimir Horowitz, Neil Armstrong

About your family: My wife, Laura, and I have three children, Simone, Kathleen and Samuel.

Something else you'd like to accomplish: Finish our house, learn some more piano pieces and hike Mount McKinley

How your business will change in the next decade: We continually adapt and introduce new technology into our software. While I was in the Air Force, I always tried to get it to use AGI products because I felt they were the best. I still feel that way today, and it's a real honor to now work for the company. I envision our software being on nearly every desk in the military and commercial contractor locations.

What book are you currently reading? The Bible

What is the one thing you would change about Colorado Springs? Traffic - highways. We always said when we were cadets that Powers should be a highway bypass. Yet for all the city planners during the intervening decades, it was built with many traffic lights and is still only being considered as a highway in the future.

A real highway would really help the Springs airport be more accessible, and ease traffic congestion.

I also miss the small town nature that was prevalent everywhere in 1976 when I first came here. But progress is inevitable, and it's nice to have stores closer than just one mall (Citadel) and being at the academy with no car.

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