Andrew Rader

Rader attended Carleton University from 1999 until 2005, receiving bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering there.[4] He spent the following four years studying aeronautics and astronautics engineering at MIT, specializing in long-duration spaceflight, and receiving his Ph.D. in 2009.[5][6]

Rader worked as a research engineer at Canada's National Research Council from 2003 to 2005. After moving to the US, he worked as a research engineer at MIT from 2005 to 2010.[7]

After graduating from MIT, Rader worked as a Spacecraft Systems Engineer at COM DEV from 2010 to 2014. In 2014, Rader moved to Los Angeles to take a job at SpaceX where he now holds the position of Mission Manager.[8]

Rader was a candidate for the Canadian Astronaut Corps in 2009 and 2017.[8][9] He wrote about the experience in an article for Motherboard called "What It's Like to Be in the Running to Be an Astronaut." He was also in consideration for a one-way mission to Mars as part of the Mars One project in 2014.[10] Natalie Angier interviewed him about the process for a New York Times story entitled A One-Way Trip to Mars? Many Would Sign Up.[11]

Rader self-published his first five books via successful crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter. His first book to be released by a major publisher is the non-fiction chronicle of human exploration, Beyond the Known: How Exploration Created the Modern World and Will Take us to the Stars, released by Simon & Schuster on November 12, 2019.[12]

His non-fiction books for adults include:

• 2019 - Beyond the Known: How Exploration Created the Modern World and Will Take us to the Stars
• 2014 - Leaving Earth: Why One-way to Mars Makes Sense

He is also the author of a series of science books for children:

• 2015 - Epic Space Adventure, successfully funded via Kickstarter on November 30, 2015
• 2016 - Mars Rover Rescue, successfully funded via Kickstarter on November 30, 2016
• 2017 - Rocket Science, successfully funded via Kickstarter on December 5, 2017
• 2018 - Europa Excursion, successfully funded via Kickstarter on December 8, 2018[2]

• Rader, A., Newland, F., and Ross, A. (2011). An Iterative Subsystem-Generated Approach to Populating a Satellite Constellation Tradespace. AIAA Space 2011, Long Beach, CA, September 2011.
• Rader, A., Oman, C., and Merfeld, D. (2011). Perceived tilt and translation perception during variable-radius swing motion with congruent or conflicting visual and vestibular cues. Experimental Brain Research. Vol. 210: 173-184. (Expanded PhD Thesis Version)
• Rader, A., Ross, A., and Rhodes, D. (2010). A Methodological Comparison of Monte Carlo Methods and Epoch-Era Analysis for System Assessment in Uncertain Environments. 4th Annual IEEE Systems Conference, San Diego, CA, April 2010.
• Rader, A., Oman, C., and Merfeld, D. (2009). Motion Perception During Variable-Radius Swing Motion in Darkness. Journal of Neurophysiology Vol. 102. No. 4., 2232-2244
• Cummings, M.L., Tsonis, C., and Rader, A. (2008). The Impact of Multi-layered Data-blocks on Controller Performance. Air Traffic Control Quarterly (ATCA). Vol. 16, No. 2.
• Rader, A., Newman, D., and Carr, C. (2007). Loping: A strategy for reduced gravity human locomotion? Proceedings from the 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES)
• Rader, A., Afagh, F., Yousefi-Koma, A. and Zimcik, D. G. (2007). Optimization of Piezoelectric Actuator Configuration on a Flexible Fin for Vibration Control using Genetic Algorithms. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures. Vol. 18: 1015 - 1033. (Expanded Masters Thesis Version)
• Rader, A., Yousefi-Koma, A., Afagh, F., and Zimcik, D. (2005). Optimization of selective piezoelectric actuator configuration on a flexible fin using a genetic algorithm. Proceedings from the 12th Annual SPIE International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials.
• Rader, A., Afagh, F., Yousefi-Koma, A., and Zimcik, D. (2004). Optimization of piezoelectric actuator configuration using a genetic algorithm for three-dimensional surface fitting of the frequency response function. Proceedings from the 15th Annual ICAST Conference on Adaptive Structure and Technologies.
• Rader, A., Clements, G., and Langlois, R. (2002). Dynamics of a Quarter-Car Suspension. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Laboratory Manual. Carleton University.