Stephen A. Daire

MSc · Explorers Club Fellow · CEO, Protean Robotics

I’m a systems engineer, explorer, and researcher working at the intersection of robotics, space systems, and human-environment coevolution. This site is where I write about that work, the tools I build with, and the gear and services I actually use.

Snapshot

Award-winning systems engineerBravo Award recipient (Northrop Grumman) for averting over $100M in satellite program cost overruns.

Standards pioneerCo-authored 5 ISO & AIAA/ANSI In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) standards.

EntrepreneurFounder & CEO of Protean Robotics, holder of a provisional patent for a modular multi-environmental robot.

ExplorerElected Fellow, The Explorers Club, for work in human-robotic teaming for extreme-environment surveys.

Scientist18 publications and 10+ conference presentations across space systems, spacesuit design, space law, paleoenvironmental research, and human-robotic teaming.

Educator & mentorAnnual Exploration Merit Badge instructor for The Explorers Club and Scouting America.

Current Work

PhD Student, Systems Engineering — Colorado State University (expected 2030), advised by Thomas Bradley, PhD.
Engineering Specialist, Enterprise Systems Engineering — Aerospace Corporation, developing MBSE tools for war gaming, joint force, space enterprise, and nuclear weapon strategy, and designing space domain operation (SDO) architectures with NASA COSMIC.
Founder/CEO — Protean Robotics, developing modular multi-environmental robotics for aerospace and marine applications.

Background

Previously a System Architect and Test & Evaluation Engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Systems Sector, and Co-Chairman of the Communications Subcommittee & Lexicon Working Group for CONFERS. My research background spans underwater laser scanning and photogrammetry for paleoarchaeology, microgravity flight experiments on debris mitigation, and evolutionary anthropology fieldwork — including expeditions across 6 countries surveying 250+ km², work with National Geographic and UNESCO, and the identification of the San Filipe shipwreck in Cartagena, Colombia.

Education: MSc, Geographic Information Science & Technology (University of Southern California); BS, Evolutionary Anthropology (Rutgers University); graduate certificates in Systems Engineering (Johns Hopkins), Underwater Survey & Maritime Archaeology (Sanisera), and Evolutionary Medicine (Rutgers).

Elsewhere

GitHub ResearchGate Academia.edu LinkedIn

About This Site

Aside from research and engineering writing, this site includes a Reviews section covering hardware, gear, and services I’ve tried or am evaluating, some through affiliate/referral programs — always disclosed on the relevant page. See the Privacy Policy for details on tracking and third-party services used on this site.