Pyrotechnics Engineering — Beyond the Explosion

For more than three decades, I’ve worked with the energetic systems behind some of aerospace’s most critical events — from fighter jet crew escape and spacecraft separation to aircraft emergency and flight safety systems.

Here I share the engineering, practical lessons, and technical fundamentals behind these systems — not just how they work, but why they’re designed the way they are.

Pyrotechnics Engineering: The Explosive Science Behind Spaceflight, Defense, and Life-Saving Technologies

When you hear “pyrotechnics,” you might picture dazzling fireworks lighting up the night sky. But for me, pyrotechnics is about something far more critical: split-second, mission-critical explosions that power spacecraft, protect fighter pilots, and save lives in everyday cars