Outstanding Ethiopian Scientist Dr. Engineer Kitaw Ejigu
Kitaw Ejigu was born in the Ethiopian town of Bonga in the Kaffa region. He went to Jimma’s Miazia 27th High School. He subsequently moved to Bahr Dar Polytechnic Institute, where he got his diploma in mechanical engineering with a concentration in Agricultural Technology in 1966, as the best student in his class. Kitaw worked as Chief technical advisor and assistant manager at the Ethiopian Automotive Services and Sales Company (EASSCO) for two years after graduating from the Institute.
He received a scholarship from the Japanese Overseas Technical Association in 1972 and went to Japan to study automotive engineering at Hiroshima University and Language and Economics at Osaka University.
He then traveled to the United States, where he began his extensive studies and training, eventually earning a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business administration in 1979. He subsequently went on to Northrop University in California to finish his PhD in space vehicle systems engineering.
In the late 1970s, he finished his studies and research and began working for NASA as a system engineer and space research scientist. He worked with other scientists to develop space shuttles and rockets that helped in planetary science study and exploration. In 1977, he was employed as Chief Spacecraft Systems Design Engineer by the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) of the California Institute of Technology (a NASA research laboratory) in Pasadena, California.
Kitaw also managed a joint NASA/ESA (European Space Agency) International Solar Polar Mission Spacecraft Systems Interface as a systems design engineer at JPL.
While working with other NASA scientists with Apollo astronaut Buz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon, Kitaw devised two aeronautical mechanisms (patented under NASA’s new technologies initiatives) in 1978. Kitaw led Martin Marietta’s research team in numerous related advanced technology application research efforts on Mars missions, producing remarkable scientific achievements. In 1986, Kitaw joined the Space Systems Division of Rockwell International (the company that built the space shuttle orbiter).
At Rockwell, he became the Principal Investigator/Chief Research Engineer for a number of complex space systems projects. In the Advanced Programs Engineering Department, he worked as a Project Manager. In support of the SDI and associated initiatives,
he managed the development of advanced technology for Kinetic Energy Weapons Systems (ASAT, GBI, E2I, TMD). Kitaw was also the program manager for a Lunar/Mars Micro-Rover research and development project in support of NASA’s future exploration missions on the Moon and Mars.
Kitaw subsequently switched his focus to Africa, namely Ethiopia, with the hopes of introducing and advancing technology-based development. Kitaw served as President/CEO of TransTech International, a privately held satellite and associated systems engineering business, which he founded with partners.
The engineer’s wife is a non-Ethiopian woman. Estela Ejigu is her name. Estela received Ethiopian culture in addition to her baptism. During his lifetime, Dr. Kitaw Ejigu had three children. Ethiopian and biblical names for Binyam, Jared, and Abigail.
Dr. Eng. Scientist Kitaw Ejigu is forever a hero, my role model, and his dreams are my dreams. I personally am glad to be here to comment on his life story. After reading ” Dertogada ” I am one who doesn’t believe in his death.
You mention ” Ismael in his book Dertogada. ” I think you are wrong here, Yismeake Worku is the author of Dertogada.
We appreciate your correction and are glad that you read about this wonderful Ethiopian hero.
How??
You mentioned that “In the late 1970 he worked for NASA as a system engineer and space research scientist.”, but unfortunately I can’t find him on the employee database of NASA. Why is that ? besides WIKIPEDIA could you please send me a link from a notable site which can corroborate this. Please
Scientist Kitaw Ejigu was a man of unparalleled talents, who invented the most advanced and consequential technologies in human history. He was also a true world citizen who believed in equality, freedom and shared prosperity for all, especially those in the most disadvantaged parts of the globe. Ethiopia and Africa, in particular, should be proud for giving the world such an exceptional human being. As his premature death at a young age is a tragic loss to the world and humanity, it is comforting to know he is survived by inspirational children, especially his eldest son Beniyam Kitaw, who is doing a great advocacy work to promote democracy, peace and human rights in Ethiopia, Africa and beyond.
Iam proud of him, if I don’t pass , Iam on the way for achieving of his dreams , I know How much wrost things in the world, that is the reasons his death. If a man nothing doing for problems solving, just leave the space, don’t make the Earh dirty💀
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