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Alumni Spotlight: Peter Knudtson (SSE '09)

New business lead, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

As part of the Mission Engineering and Systems Analysis Division of the Goddard Space Flight Center, Peter

A man poses for a photo wearing blue gloves and a face mask.
Peter Knudtson (SSE, Aerospace Engineering ’09)is the new business lead for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Knudtson (SSE '09) bridges the gap between NASA's scientists and engineers. He uses his background in aerospace engineering to help plan future space missions and inform technology development. 

“I make sure that the division is well prepared for serving the engineering needs of space science here at Goddard and across the country,” Knudtson said.

He traces his breakthrough to NASA back to his ambitions as a student. He got involved early, joining organizations such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Saint Louis University Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS). Knudtson believes that coursework was just the foundation of his education. Exploration was the next crucial step in his professional development.

In NASA’s university outreach efforts, he advises aspiring scientists and engineers to open their minds — take initiative by reading about fields of interest, joining extracurricular training programs and pursuing competitive internships.

“The key thing for students is to be engaged,” Knudtson said. “It's ok if you don't know the exact direction you want to go as a student. Part of being at school is exposure to all of these different avenues and seeing what you like.”