UQ farewells pioneer of space engineering

The University of Queensland community is saddened by the passing of Emeritus Professor Raymond Stalker, a pioneer within the field of Hypersonics and Scramjet technology.

Professor Stalker had a long and distinguished career at The University of Queensland as a Professor in Mechanical Engineering (1977-88) Head of Department (1983-86) and Professor of Space Engineering (1988-93).

His life’s work laid the foundations for a respected Australian presence in hypersonic aerodynamics.

UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said Professor Stalker’s passing was a great loss for the University and for the international hypersonics community.

“It was Raymond’s visionary thinking, determination and pioneering research that lead to the formation of UQ’s Centre for Hypersonics, which is now one of the world’s largest space engineering groups based at a University,” Professor Høj said.

“The University was fortunate to have had a man of Raymond’s rare abilities leading its space engineering program for more than two decades.

“Even after retirement, Raymond continued to be involved with his research group and offered them his guidance and wealth of experience.”

Professor Stalker received a plethora of accolades and honours during his career including the Order of Australia, and was the only Australian Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

He is renowned for designing the first scramjet that was demonstrated to produce more thrust than drag and for inventing the free-piston shock tunnel (known as the Stalker tunnel).

Professor Stalker’s life work and research will continue as the University furthers it’s hypersonic portfolio in the coming years.

Awards and accolades

• Order of Australia
• Centenary Medal
• Fellow, Australian Academy of Science,
• Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering,
• Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
• Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society,
• Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia,
• AGM Mitchell Medal, Institution of Engineers Australia,
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Ground Testing Award,
• International Collaboration Award of the International Society of Air Breathing Engines
• Fellow of Indian Shock Wave Society,
• The Clunies Ross Lifetime Achievement Award
• ANZAAS Medal for services to the advancement of science
• Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division Lecture Prize
• Honorary Doctor of Engineering (UQ)