George Bowden

Dr. George Bowden is a Lecturer and Postgraduate Space Program Coordinator in the School of Engineering and Technology at UNSW Canberra, University of New South Wales. He possesses extensive experience and expertise in physics relating to fluids and plasmas. His postgraduate research involved numerical modelling of waves in fusion plasmas based on ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Subsequent postdoctoral research focused on computational fluid modelling of the upper atmosphere, particularly the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere system. Bowden's work spans mesospheric, ionospheric, and magnetospheric physics, plasma physics, fusion plasmas, electrical discharges, acoustics, and waves.

Current research specializations include applications in astrodynamics such as satellite drag prediction, space weather prediction encompassing natural and anthropogenic phenomena, thermosphere mass density estimation for satellites, data assimilation using ionosphere-thermosphere models, and interactions between the ionosphere and rockets. He supervises PhD students and fourth-year engineering students on projects like simulating ionospheric perturbations from rocket launches and estimating space weather impacts on the upper atmosphere. As part of UNSW Canberra Space, Bowden coordinates the postgraduate space program and contributes to education seminars. Key publications include 'Global Sensitivity Analysis of Nitric Oxide-Related Chemical Reaction Rates in the Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model' (2024), 'Investigation of Thermospheric Response to Geomagnetic Storms Using the Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model' (2024), 'Hybrid CFD/DSMC Modelling of High-Altitude Rocket Plumes' (2025), and 'Iodine Plasmas for Space Propulsion and Industrial Applications' (2025). His contributions support space situational awareness and satellite operations.