Alessandro Golkar

Associate Professor
Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Space Systems Engineer, Alessandro Golkar is Associate Professor and Technology Development Director at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech). From 2017 to 2019, Alessandro Golkar served as Vice President Concurrent Engineering, member of the Leadership Team of Technology Planning and Roadmapping at the Airbus Corporate Technology Office (CTO) in Toulouse, France. Before Airbus, he served as the Interim Director of the Skoltech Space Center. His research looks at new ways for looking at complex systems architecting problems, and developing research and demonstrators of novel spacecraft technology.

He is author of 102 publications (70 Scopus indexed), including 29 peer-reviewed journal papers. He is Associate Editor of the IEEE Journal on Miniaturization for Air and Space Systems, Associate Editor of the INCOSE Systems Engineering journal. He is a reviewer for journals including the AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, AIAA Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, Acta Astronautica, SAGE Concurrent Engineering, INCOSE Systems Engineering , and the IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems.

Pursuing the entrepreneurial spirit of Skoltech, Prof. Golkar is actively involved as member of the board of advisors and early-stage investor in technology startups.

Prof.Golkar is an IEEE Senior Member and an AIAA Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a FAA licensed private pilot.

He served as a consultant for the European Space Agency and was a Research Fellow and Visiting Independent Advisor at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; at MIT he worked for grants sponsored by NASA Headquarters and BP plc.

Among other recognitions, he is the recipient of the 2014 Luigi G. Napolitano Award, the 2014 Best Journal Paper Award of the Year of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Journal, and the 2019 MIT Technology Review Italia Young Innovators Under 35 Award.

Research
Publications
Awards
News
Teaching
Summary in Russian / Краткая справка

Model Based Systems Engineering
Technology Planning and Roadmapping
Space Mission Analysis and Design
Satellite Payload Development
In-Orbit Technology Demonstrators
High-Altitude Technology Demonstrators

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

[J28], Garzaniti, N., Golkar, A., Maggiore, P., “Additive Manufacturing Evaluation Tool for Design Studies”, IEEE Systems Journal, 2019, doi: 10.1109/JSYST.2019.2939906.
[J27] Golkar, A., “Experiential Systems Engineering Education Concept using Stratospheric Balloon Missions”, IEEE Systems Journal, 2019, doi: 10.1109/JSYST.2019.2917823.
[J26] Akhtyamov, R., Vingerhoeds R., Golkar, A., “Identifying retrofitting opportunities for Federated Satellite Systems”, AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, vol. 56, issue 3, p. 620-629, 2019, doi: 10.2514/1.A34196.
[J25] Golkar, A., Vingerhoeds R., “Introduction to the special section on advances in federated and fractionated satellite systems”, AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, vol. 56, issue 3, p. 619, 2019, doi: 10.2514/1.A34523.
[J24] Smirnov, D., Golkar, A., “Design Optimization using Game Theory”, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, in press, 2019, doi: 10.1109/TSMC.2019.2897086.
[J23] Araguz, C., Llaveria, D., Lancheros, E., Bou-Balust, E., Camps, A., Alarcón, E., Tonetti, S., Cornara, S., Vicario, G., Lluch, I., Matevosyan, H., Golkar, A., Cote, J., Pierotti, S., Rodriguez, P., Alvaro, A., Sochacki, M., Narkiewicz, J., “Architectural Optimization Framework for Earth-Observing Heterogeneous Constellations: Marine Weather Forecast Case”, AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, in press, 2019, doi: 10.2514/1.A34182.
[J22] Lluch, I., Golkar, A., “Architecting federations of systems: A framework for capturing synergy”, Systems Engineering, in press, 2019, doi: 10.1002/sys.21482.
[J21] Malyy, M., Tekic, Z., Golkar, A., “What drives technology innovation in New Space? A preliminary analysis of Venture Capital investments in Earth Observation startups”, IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine, vol. 7, issue 1, pp. 59-73, 2019, doi: 10.1109/MGRS.2018.2886999.
[J20] Matevosyan, H., Lluch, I., Poghosyan, A., Golkar, A., “A Value-Chain Analysis for the Copernicus Earth Observation Infrastructure Evolution: A Knowledgebase of Users, Needs, Services, and Products”, IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine, Vol. 5, Issue 3, 2017, doi: 10.1109/MGRS.2017.2720263.
[J19] Von Maurich, O., Golkar, A., “Data authentication, integrity and confidentiality mechanisms for Federated Satellite Systems”, Acta Astronautica, Vol. 149, pp.61-76, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.05.003.
[J18] Knoll, D., Golkar, A., “A coordination method for concurrent design and a collaboration tool for parametric system models”, Concurrent Engineering: Research and Applications, 2018, doi: 10.1177/1063293X17732374.
[J17] Golkar, A., Selva, D., de Weck, O.L., “Introduction to the Special Issue on Federated and Fractionated Satellite Systems”, Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, Vol. 14, No. 8, 2017, pp. 411-411, doi: 10.2514/1.I010545.
[J16] Selva, D., Golkar, A., Korobova, O., Lluch, I., Collopy, P., de Weck, O.L., “Distributed Earth Satellite Systems: What Is Needed to Move Forward?” Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, Vol. 14, No. 8 (2017), pp. 412-438, doi: 10.2514/1.I010497.
[J15] Poghosyan, A., Golkar, A., “CubeSat Evolution: Analyzing CubeSat Capabilities for Conducting Science Missions”, Progress in Aerospace Sciences, Volume 88, p. 59-83, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.paerosci.2016.11.002.
[J14] Grogan, P.T., Ho, K., Golkar, A., de Weck, O.L., “Multi-Actor Value Modeling for Federated Systems”, IEEE Systems Journal, vol.PP, no.99, pp.1-10, December 2016, doi: 10.1109/JSYST.2016.2626981.
[J13] Akhtyamov, R., Lluch, I., Matevosyan, H., Knoll, D., Pica, U. Lisi, M., Golkar, A., “An implementation of Software Defined Radios for Federated Aerospace Networks: Informing satellite implementations using an inter-balloon communications experiment”, Acta Astronautica, January 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2015.12.043.
[J12] Pica, U., Golkar, A., “Sealed-Bid Reverse Auction Pricing Mechanisms for Sharing Economy Systems”, INCOSE Systems Engineering, November 2017, doi: 10.1002/sys.21395.
[J11] Smirnov, D., Golkar, A., “Stirling Engine Systems Tradespace Exploration Model”, Procedia Computer Science, Vol.44, pp.558-567, 2015, doi 10.1016/j.procs.2015.03.010.
[J10] Golkar, A., Lluch, I., “The Federated Satellite Systems Paradigm: Concept and Business Case Evaluation”, Acta Astronautica, February 2015, doi 10.1016/j.actaastro.2015.02.009.
[J9] Lluch, I., Golkar, A., “Design implications for missions participating in Federated Satellite Systems”, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 52, No. 5 (2015), pp. 1361-1374, doi: 10.2514/1.A33172 .
[J8] Palermo, G., Golkar, A., Gaudenzi, P., “Earth Orbiting Support Systems for Commercial Low Earth Orbit Data Relay: Assessing Architectures through Tradespace Exploration”, Acta Astronautica, February 2015, doi 10.1016/j.actaastro.2015.02.011.
[J7] Karlow, B., Jewison, C., Sternberg, D., Hall, S., Golkar, A., “Large Space Telescopes: Tradespace Investigation of Strategic Design Factors”, SPIE Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems (JATIS), 1(2), 027003 (2015). doi:10.1117/1.JATIS.1.2.027003.
[J6] Golkar, A. “Mars Sample Return Campaign: Results of Delphi Study for Requirements Formulation”, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 52, No. 2 (2015), pp. 619-622, doi: 10.2514/1.A32905.
[J5] Golkar, A., Crawley, E.F., “A Framework for Space Systems Architecture under Stakeholder Objectives Ambiguity”, INCOSE Systems Engineering, vol.17, issue 4, August 2014, doi: 10.1111/sys.21286 – Winner of the Best Paper of 2014 Award of the INCOSE Journal of Systems Engineering. Among Top 3 Cited Papers of INCOSE Systems Engineering Journal in 2014-15.
[J4] Golkar, A., Crawley, E.F., “Parametric Analysis of Single Stage Earth Departure Stage In-Orbit Refueling”, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, vol.51, issue 2, pp.631-635, April 2014, doi: 10.2514/1.A32718.
[J3] Aliakbargolkar, A., Crawley, E.F., “A Delphi-Based Framework for systems architecting of in-orbit exploration infrastructure for human exploration beyond Low Earth Orbit”, Acta Astronautica, Vol.94, Issue 1, pp. 17-33, January-February 2014, doi 10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.08.004.
[J2] Aliakbargolkar, A., Crawley E.F., Wicht, A.C., Battat, J.A., Calandrelli, E.D., “Systems Architecting Methodology for Space Transportation Infrastructure”, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol.50: 579-590, 2013, doi 10.2514/1.A32320.
[J1] Aliakbargolkar, A., Crawley E.F., “Architecting Methodology for Spatially and Temporally Distributed Resource Extraction Systems”, INCOSE Systems Engineering, Vol.16 Issue 3, pp.277-286, Autumn 2013, doi 10.1002/sys.21230.

PEER-REVIEWED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

[C58] Briatore, S., Garzaniti, N., Golkar A., “Towards the Internet for Space: bringing cloud computing to space systems”, 36^th International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC), Niagara Falls, Canada, October 15-18, 2018.
[C57] Smirnova, K., Vingerhoeds, R., Golkar, A., “Competition-driven figures of merit in technology roadmap planning”, IEEE Symposium on Systems Engineering, Rome Italy, October 2018.
[C56] Yuskevich, I., Vingerhoeds, R., Golkar, A., “Comparative analysis of two-dimensional data-driven efficient frontier estimation algorithms”, IEEE Symposium on Systems Engineering, Rome Italy, October 2018.
[C55] Akhtyamov, R., Vingerhoeds, R., Golkar, A., “Measures and approach for modernization of existing systems” , IEEE Symposium on Systems Engineering, Rome Italy, October 2018.
[C54] Knoll, D., Fortin, C., Golkar, A., “Review of Concurrent Engineering Design practice in the space sector: state of the art and future perspectives”, IEEE Symposium on Systems Engineering, Rome Italy, October 2018.
[C53] Garzaniti, N., Golkar, A., Fortin, C., “Optimization of multi-part 3D printing build strategies for lean product and process development”, IFIP 15th International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management, Torino Italy, July 1-4 2018.
[C52] Camps, A., Golkar, A., Gutierrez, A., Ruiz de Azua, J.A., Munoz-Martin, J.F., Fernandez, L., Diez, C., Aguilella, A., Briatore, S., Akthyamov, R., Garzaniti, N., “FSSCAT, the 2017 Copernicus Masters’ “ESA Sentinel Small Satellite Challenge” Winner: a Federated Polar and Soil Moisture Tandem Mission Based on 6U CubeSats”, 2018 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Valencia Spain, July 22-27, 2018.
[C51] Smirnova, K., Golkar, A., Vingerhoeds, R., “A game-theoretic framework for concurrent technology roadmap planning using best-response techniques”, 12^th Annual IEEE International Systems Conference 2018, Vancouver Canada, doi: 10.1109/SYSCON.2018.8369615.
[C50] Yuskevich, I., Vingerhoeds, R., Golkar, A., “Two-dimensional Pareto frontier forecasting for technology planning and roadmapping”, 12^th Annual IEEE International Systems Conference 2018, Vancouver Canada, doi: 10.1109/SYSCON.2018.8369565.
[C49] Knoll, D., Golkar, A., de Weck, O.L., “A concurrent design approach for model-based technology roadmapping”, 12^th Annual IEEE International Systems Conference 2018, Vancouver Canada, doi: 10.1109/SYSCON.2018.8369527.
[C48] Aragon, C., Llaveria, D., Lancheros, E., Bou-Balust, E., Camps, A., Alarcon, E., Tognetti, S., Stefania, C., Rodriguez, P., Alvaro, A., Lluch, I., Matevosyan, H., Golkar, A., Cote, J., Pierotti, J., Sochacki, M., Narkiewicz, J., “Optimized model-based design space exploration of distributed multi-orbit multi-platform Earth observation spacecraft architectures”, IEEE Aerospace Conference 2018, Big Sky MT, doi: 10.1109/AERO.2018.8396712.
[C47] Briatore, S., Akhtyamov, R., Golkar, A., “Design and flight test results of high speed optical bidirectional link between stratospheric platforms for aerospace applications,” Proc. SPIE 10408, Laser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans VI, 1040804, 2017, doi: 10.1117/12.2273808.
[C46] Fortin, C., McSorley, G., Knoll, D., Golkar, A., Tsykunova, R., “Study of Data Structures and Tools for the Concurrent Conceptual Design of Complex Space Systems”, IFIP 14^th International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management, PLM17, 9-12 July 2017, Seville, Spain, 2017, doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-72905-3_53.
[C45] Grogan, P.T., Ho, K., Golkar, A., de Weck, O.L., “Bounding the Value of Collaboration in Federated Systems”, 10^th Annual IEEE Systems Conference, Orlando Florida, 2016, doi: 10.1109/SYSCON.2016.7490657 .
[C44] Smirnov, D., Knoll, D., Golkar, A., “Gamespace Exploration Approach To Complex Systems Design”, 2016 Conference on Systems Engineering Research, Huntsville Alabama, 2016.
[C43] Golkar, A., “Lessons learnt in the development of a Concurrent Engineering Infrastructure”, INCOSE International Symposium, Edinburgh, UK, 2016, doi: 10.1002/j.2334-5837.2016.00259.x.
[C42] Lluch, I., Pica, U., Grogan, P.T., Golkar, A., “Simulating a Proactive Ad-Hoc Network Protocol for Federated Satellite Systems”, IEEE Aerospace Conference 2015, Big Sky MT, doi: 10.1109/AERO.2015.7118984.
[C41] Lluch, I., Golkar, A., “Satellite-to-Satellite Coverage Optimization Approach for Opportunistic Inter-Satellite Links”, 2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky (MT), March 2014, doi: 10.1109/AERO.2014.6836307.
[C40] Grogan, P.T., Golkar, A., Shirasaka, S., de Weck, O.L., “Multi-stakeholder interactive simulation for Federated Satellite Systems”, 2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky (MT), March 2014, doi: 10.1109/AERO.2014.6836253.
[C39], Sanchez Net, M., Selva, D., Golkar, A., “Exploring Classification Algorithms for Early Mission Formulation Cost Estimation”, 2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky (MT), March 2014, doi: 10.1109/AERO.2014.6836326.

THESES
[T3] Aliakbargolkar, A., “A Framework for Systems Architecting under Stakeholder Objectives Ambiguity – Applications to Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration”, PhD dissertation, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, June 2012.
[T2] Aliakbargolkar, A., “Preliminary Design of Satellites Configurations and Structures”, Laurea Specialistica thesis, Sapienza Universita’ di Roma, May 2008.
[T1] Aliakbargolkar, A., “Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer Analysis of a Pressurant Gas Tank for a Liquid Propulsion System”, Laurea thesis, Sapienza Universita’ di Roma, September 2006.

POPULAR ARTICLES
[P5] Golkar, A., “I vantaggi dei sistemi di satellite sharing”, Airpress, n.71, October 2016 (in Italian).
[P4] Golkar, A., “L’Italia e il Rinascimento Spaziale”, Aspenia, n.73, June 2016 (in Italian).
[P3] Golkar, A., “La rinascita Russa passa per ORKK”, Airpress, n.61, November 2015 (in Italian).
[P2] Golkar, A., “Nuovi orizzonti per l’Italia”, Airpress, n.58, July-August 2015 (in Italian).
[P1] Golkar, A., “Developing space infrastructure: the future of aerospace technology is now”, Russian Beyond the Headlines (English and Italian Edition), November 18, 2014.

IEEE Senior Member, 2018
Overall Winner, Copernicus Masters 2017
Winner, ESA Sentinel Small Satellite (S^3) Challenge, 2017
Top 10 Paper, SECESA 2016
Senior Member, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), 2015
Best Journal Paper of the Year Award, INCOSE Systems Engineering Journal, 2015
Winner, 2014 Luigi G. Napolitano Award, International Astronautical Federation (2014)
Top-3 PhD Research in MIT Aero/Astro Department Research Competition (2012)