• BS, Physics (cum laude), Wake Forest University, 1976
• MS, Physics, University of Virginia, 1979
• Ph D, Engineering Physics, University of Virginia, 1982

Journal Articles

Sharad Sharan, Roshan Thomas Eapen, Puneet Singla and Robert G Melton, 2023, "Accurate Uncertainty Characterization of Impulsive Thrust Maneuvers in the Restricted Three Body Problem", Journal of the Astronautical Sciences

Damien Gueho, Puneet Singla, Manoranjan Majji and Robert G Melton, 2022, "Filtered Integral Formulation of the Sparse Model Identification Problem", Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 45, (2), pp. pp 232-247

Guanwei He and Robert G Melton, 2021, "Analytic Approximation for Fixed-Angle Constant Thrust Trajectories via Linear Perturbation Theory", Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 44, (1), pp. 8

Guanwei He, Davide Conte, Robert G Melton and David B Spencer, 2019, "Fireworks Algorithm Applied to Trajectory Design for Earth to Lunar Halo Orbits", Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 57, (2), pp. 12

Robert G. Melton, 2018, "Differential evolution/particle swarm optimizer for constrained slew maneuvers", Acta Astronautica, 148, pp. pp. 246-259

Dario Spiller, Robert G Melton and Fabio Curti, 2018, "Inverse Dynamics Particle Swarm optimization applied to constrained minimum-time maneuvers using reaction wheels", Journal of Aerospace Science and Technology, 75, pp. 1-12

Seung Pil Kim and Robert G Melton, 2015, "Constrained Station Relocation in Geostationary Equatorial Orbit Using a Legendre Pseudospectral Method", Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 38, (4), pp. 711-719

Robert G Melton, 2014, "Maximum-Likelihood Estimation Optimizer for Constrained, Time-Optimal Satellite Reorientation", Acta Astronautica, 103, pp. 185-192

Robert G Melton, 2014, "Hybrid methods for determining time-optimal, constrained spacecraft reorientation maneuvers", Acta Astronautica, 94, (1), pp. 294-301

Robert G Melton, 2012, "Numerical Analysis of Constrained, Time-Optimal Satellite Reorientation", Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2012

B. M. Yutko and Robert G Melton, 2010, "Optimizing Spacecraft Reorientation Maneuvers Using a Pseudospectral Method", Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Sciences and Applications, 2, (1), pp. 1-14

Robert G Melton, 2009, "Constrained Time-Optimal Slewing Maneuvers for Rigid Spacecraft", Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, 135, pp. 107-126

P.-S. Hur, Robert G Melton and D. B. Spencer, 2008, "Meeting Science Requirements for Attitude Determination and Control in a Low-Power, Spinning Nanosatellite", Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Science, and Applications, 1, (1), pp. 25-33

M. A. Wissler, D. B. Spencer and Robert G Melton, 2007, "Coast-Arc Orbit Stability During Spiral-Down Trajectories about Irregularly Shaped Bodies", Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets

W. Chadwick, D. B. Spencer and Robert G Melton, 2006, "Geometric Visibility of Ground Sites for Beacon/Relays on the Martian Moons", Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets

D. B. Spencer, Robert G Melton and S. G. Chianese, 2006, "Selecting Projects for a Capstone Spacecraft Design Course From Real World Solicitations", Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

S. G. Bilen, C. R. Philbrick, T. F. Wheeler, J. D. Matthews, Robert G Melton and D. B. Spencer, 2006, "An Overview of Space Science and Engineering Education at Penn State", IEEE Aerospace and Electronics Magazine

• Faculty Adviser Award, AIAA, January 2011

• Sustained Service Award, AIAA, January 2010

• Milton S. Eisenhower Award for Distinguished Teaching, Pennsylvania State University, 2006

• Lawrence J. Perez memorial Student Advocate Award, College of Engineering, Penn State Univ., 2001

• Special Service Citation, AIAA, 1995

• Premier Teaching Award, College of Engineering, Penn State Univ., 1992

• Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award, Society of Automotive Engineers, 1986

• Outstanding Advising Award, College of Engineering, Penn State Univ., 1986

• Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Engineering, Penn State Univ., 1985

• Elected Full Member, International Academy of Astronautics, July 2022

• Corresponding Member, International Academy of Astronautics, July 2018

• Dirk Brouwer Award, American Astronautical Society, December 2019

Service to Penn State:

• Committee Work, Chairperson, Chair, P&T (one case), Promotion and Tenure Committee, September 2021 - August 2022

• Participation in Governance Bodies and Related Activities, Member, University Faculty Senate, Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs, September 2020

• Committee Work, Chairperson, Dept P &T, Promotion and Tenure Committee, August 2020 - July 2021

• Committee Work, Chairperson, Dept P&T, Promotion and Tenure Committee, August 2019 - August 2020

• Committee Work, Faculty, ETM Cmte for COE, Entrance-to-Major Committee, October 2018 - May 2019

• Committee Work, Committee Member, University Faculty Senate, University Faculty Senate, Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs, August 2016 - May 2024

• Academic Leadership and Support Work, Representative, Senate Cmte on Curricular Affairs Representative to COE EFC/Undergrad Studies Committee, University Faculty Senate, July 2016 - June 2024

• Academic Leadership and Support Work, Administrator, Director of Undergraduate Studies, August 2003

• Academic Leadership and Support Work, Administrator, Lead honors adviser, Schreyer Honors College, August 1983

Service to External Organizations:

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Committee Member, Space Flight Mechanics Committee, American Astronautical Society, January 2021

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Committee Member, Astrodynamics TC, International Astronautical Federation, October 2019

• Participation in or Service to Professional and Learned Societies, Committee Member, International Planning Committee, International Astronautical Federation, October 2019