Daniel E. Hastings received his BA in mathematics from Oxford University in 1976, and his SM and PhD in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT. He joined the MIT faculty as an assistant professor in 1985, advancing to associate professor in 1988 and full professor in 1993. Currently he is Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems and Dean for Undergraduate Education.
Professor Hastings was associate director of MIT's Engineering Systems Division from 2001 to 2003, co-director from 2003 to 2004, and director from July 2004 to December 2005. Previously, he had served as director of MIT's Technology and Policy Program.
He has taught courses and seminars in plasma physics, rocket propulsion, advanced space power and propulsion systems, aerospace policy, technology and policy, and space systems engineering. Recently, his research has focused on issues related to space systems and space policy, and he has also studied spacecraft-environment interactions, space propulsion, space systems engineering, and space policy. He has published many papers and a book in the field of spacecraft-environment interactions and several papers on space propulsion and space systems.
Professor Hastings was chief scientist of the US Air Force from 1997 to 1999. In that role, he served as chief scientific adviser to the chief of staff and the secretary and provided assessments on a wide range of scientific and technical issues affecting the Air Force mission. He led several influential studies on where the Air Force should invest in space, global energy projection, and options for a science and technology workforce for the 21st century.
Professor Hastings is a fellow of the AIAA and INCOSE and an electedmember of the International Academy of Astronautics. He is a member of the National Science Board and the Applied Physics Lab Science and Technology Advisory Panel; he is also a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. He is a member of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Advisory Committee and is on the Board of Trustees of the Aerospace Corporation.