Derek Lang

Lecturer

Office hours: 5124 Etcheverry Hall

Derek focuses on startups and Newspace companies. He helps with technical, business development, and regulatory issues. He covers a diverse range of experiences and expertise, including: systems Engineering for a US defense-related LEO constellation, space launch using a ground-based mass accelerator, business development for PNT, EO, and Optical Comm startups, mission Management for a space tug company, program planning mentorship for a small sat launch startup, additive manufacturing for rocket engine components, hypersonic analyses and experimentation, & regulatory interpretation for FAA/AST, Environmental, and Export Control.

Derek specializes in program management, project planning, contracts, systems engineering, propulsion, and aerodynamics.

Currently, Derek is helping plan UC Berkeley’s newly established Aerospace Engineering program. He taught rocket propulsion and Aerospace Capstone, where students designed, built and flew aircraft and spacecraft.

Education

Ph.D., Aerospace, University of Washington
M.S., Astronautics, Stanford University
B.S., California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo