Daniel G. Murri

B.S., Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1981
M.S., Aeronautics, George Washington University, 1987

Mr. Murri retired from NASA in 2022 with over 40 years experience as a research engineer, Branch Head, and NASA Technical Fellow.  He began working at the NASA Langley Research Center in 1978 as a cooperative education student from Virginia Tech, and he returned to NASA Langley in 1981 as a full-time research engineer.  From 1981 to 2001, he conducted theoretical analyses and wind-tunnel, flight simulation, and flight-test studies in support of aircraft development programs and the exploration of new aeronautics technologies.  Much of his research focused on high-angle-of-attack aerodynamics and flight dynamics, loss of control, out-of-control modes of motion, and developing new understanding of flight dynamic phenomena.  He contributed to many incident/accident investigations and aircraft development programs, and led wind-tunnel studies that contributed to the application of thrust vectoring to military aircraft, and the application of Natural Laminar Flow airfoil technology to General Aviation aircraft.  He participated on national teams that addressed the performance and handling characteristics of fighter aircraft and he developed airframe or flight control system modifications that were incorporated on the X-29, F-15E, F/A-18E/F, and F-22.  His research also included the development and flight testing of novel control effectors (actuated forebody strakes) on the NASA F-18 High-Alpha Research Vehicle.  

From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Murri was head of the NASA Langley Flight Dynamics Branch where he provided technical leadership and oversight of a broad range of research activities, including commercial transport upset prevention and recovery research in the NASA Aviation Safety Program, flight control system development and analysis for the ARES-I-X Crew Launch Vehicle, and flight dynamics analysis and dynamic stability data for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Launch Abort System.  He also supported the mishap investigation and return-to-flight activity for the NASA X-43A hypersonic demonstrator, and provided flight mechanics analysis and recommendations for the National Transportation Safety Board during the American Airlines Flight 587 fatal accident investigation.

From 2008 to 2022, Mr. Murri was the NASA Technical Fellow for Flight Mechanics - the senior technical authority at NASA in the discipline of Flight Mechanics.  He led a nation-wide team of experts from NASA, industry, academia, and Department of Defense, and responded to high-risk NASA engineering issues in flight mechanics by assembling expert teams, conducting appropriate testing and analysis, and reporting findings and recommendations to program stakeholders.  He led numerous engineering assessments including studies for the Cassini Spacecraft, Parker Solar Probe, International Space Station, Space Launch System, Orion Spacecraft, and the SpaceX and Boeing Commercial Crew vehicles.  He provided stewardship of the NASA Flight Mechanics discipline, and technical collaboration and peer review for other disciplines within NASA, and with the Department of Defense and other government agencies.  

Mr. Murri has Commercial Pilot and Remote Pilot licenses and served as research pilot on several NASA Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) research programs.  He has authored 69 referenced publications, has received two patents for his work on the development of advanced aerodynamic control concepts, and is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA.  He is a recipient of the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the astronaut-awarded “Silver Snoopy” for his contributions to the safety of human space flight.  

He lives with his wife, Gretchen, in Yorktown, Virginia, and they also enjoy spending time in the mountains in Afton, Virginia.  Some of his current activities include volunteering as an adult leader in Boy Scout Troop 94 where he leads backpacking trips, mentors Eagle Scout candidates, and teaches the Aviation and Engineering merit badges.  He also regularly flies general aviation aircraft as a member of the Tidewater Flying Club.