Jan Osburg

Senior Engineer

Pittsburgh Office

Education

Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, University of Stuttgart; M.S. in aerospace engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

More Experts

Overview

Jan Osburg is a senior engineer at the RAND Corporation. His work focuses on aerospace, defense, and homeland security. Recent projects involved assessing next-generation launch vehicles, researching counter-UAS technologies, identifying options for aerial reconnaissance during Joint Forcible Entry Operations, developing resistance-based deterrence strategies for the Baltic states, mitigating the North Korean nuclear threat, and planetary defense. He has spent significant time as an embedded RAND analyst in Iraq and Afghanistan—six months with MNF-I in Baghdad in 2009, three months with CFSOCC-A in Kabul in 2010, and two months with the Asymmetric Warfare Group in Bagram in 2013.

He previously worked as a research engineer at the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology, where he led projects that applied probabilistic methods and tools to the conceptual design of aerospace systems.

As a 2006–2007 fellow of Georgia Tech's Sam Nunn Security Program, he studied national security and emergency preparedness issues. Projects included developing proactive policy options for the North Korean nuclear crisis, creating an interactive visualization capability for nuclear blast effects, and modeling the impact of disasters on cellular communications infrastructure.

Osburg has participated in multiple expeditions to Mars-analog research facilities, with roles ranging from crew commander and station engineer to health and safety officer. While pursuing his doctorate at the University of Stuttgart, he worked as a research engineer and lecturer and directed international interdisciplinary workshops on the conceptual design of inhabited space systems. Osburg holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Stuttgart.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Unconventional Options for the Defense of the Baltic States
Strategic Support for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
Assessing Locally-Focused Stability Operations
Geotargeting Performance of Wireless Emergency Alerts
Employment Options for Unmanned Surface Vehicles

Honors & Awards

Medal Award, Silver level, RAND
Merit Bonus Award, Gold level, RAND
"Karl Sonnenschein" Best Dissertation Award, "Kartellverband" national academic society

Languages

German, French

Commentary

Space Exploration

Governance in Space: Mining the Moon and Beyond
Without further cooperation and agreement among space powers, multiple, competing governance systems may end up being established, further increasing potential for conflict. The time to address this issue is now, so that the use of deep-space resources contributes to prosperity, security, and freedom on Earth and throughout the solar system.
Nov 18, 2022
The Hill
Space Science and Technology

Russia's Withdrawal from the ISS: Another Sign of Its Space Decline?
Russia's threatened exit from the International Space Station could simply be more bluster from Moscow at a time of heightened tension between Russia and the West over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But it also appears to be another signal that Russia's profile in space is in decline, a trend that is likely to continue and that the United States could be preparing for now.
Aug 4, 2022
United Press International
Security Cooperation

'If You Want Peace, Prepare for Resistance'
Lithuania's government issued a guide on how its citizens can resist a potential Russian invasion and occupation. Resistance is a key element of the “Total Defense” strategy all three Baltic states have been pursuing, spurred on by Russian aggression.
Nov 22, 2016
The National Interest

Publications

Report
Universal Command and Control Language Early System Engineering: Performance Effects of a Universal Command and Control Standard
In a multiyear effort, RAND researchers analyzed the challenges of creating a universal command and control language to facilitate the evolution of systems and interoperability of systems-of-systems for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Feb 21, 2023
Report
Small Unmanned Aerial System Adversary Capabilities
To support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in prioritizing capability investments, this report examines trends in small unmanned aerial system development, features that could aid nefarious users, and how such actors could use these systems.
Mar 12, 2020
Report
Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States Through Resilience and Resistance
The authors of this report examine how the unconventional defense strategies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania can deter and counteract Russian hybrid and military attacks, and assesses the roles of enabling technologies and international support.
Apr 15, 2019
Report
Targeted Interoperability: A New Imperative for Multinational Operations
This report looks at what motivations exist for interoperability and defines a reasonable framework from which to work if and when interoperability needs and investments meet strategic language in the United States.
Mar 25, 2019
Journal Article
Total Defense: How the Baltic States Are Integrating Citizenry Into Their National Security Strategies
The Baltic states' thinking about national defense increasingly encompasses civil society, starting from the leveraging of civilian infrastructure to the participation of civilians in national defense..
Oct 6, 2017
Journal Article
Geo-targeting Performance of Wireless Emergency Alerts in Imminent Threat Scenarios: Volume 2: Earthquake, Tsunami and Radiation Warnings
This study examines how WEA can be used to warn the public in three potentially deadly scenarios: A large destructive earthquake; A Tsunami ; and A terrorist detonation of nuclear weapon in an urban area.
Oct 5, 2016
Journal Article
Geo-targeting Performance of Wireless Emergency Alerts in Imminent Threat Scenarios: Volume 1: Tornado Warnings
This study examines how Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) can be used to warn the public in three potentially deadly scenarios: --A large destructive earthquake; --A Tsunami ; and --A terrorist detonation of nuclear weapon in an urban area.
Oct 5, 2016
Report
Developing a Risk Assessment Methodology for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
This report provides a risk assessment methodology that integrates risk factors and risk management approaches tailored to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's management, operations, and acquisition structures.
Jun 29, 2016
Report
Expanding Flight Research: Capabilities, Needs, and Management Options for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate asked RAND to assess flight research capabilities and needs, and to identify management options that would facilitate increased and improved flight research.
Jun 27, 2016
Report
Unconventional Options for the Defense of the Baltic States: The Swiss Approach
This RAND perspective outlines the Cold War-era Swiss approach to decentralized resistance against invasion and discusses how it may be of use in the context of the current potential threats to the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Feb 5, 2016
Journal Article
Exploring the Effect of the Diffusion of Geo-Targeted Emergency Alerts: The Application of Agent-Based Modeling to Understanding the Spread of Messages from the Wireless Emergency Alerts System
This report examines the effect of the diffusion of geo-targeted emergency alerts.
Nov 23, 2015
Report
DoD and Commercial Advanced Waveform Developments and Programs with Multiple Nunn-McCurdy Breaches, Volume 5
Compares aspects of the Joint Tactical Radio System network domain program with similar elements for the commercial long-term evolution waveform and analyzes acquisition programs that have repeatedly exceeded certain cost thresholds.
Aug 25, 2014
Report
Assessing Locally Focused Stability Operations
This report describes how to best measure and assess the progress and outcomes of locally focused stability operations -- the missions, tasks, and activities that create stability by building security, governance, and development in a community.
Aug 21, 2014
Research Brief
Best Practices for Assessing Locally Focused Stability Operations
Locally focused stability operations (LFSO) to build security, development, and governance are difficult to assess because of the complexity of operational environments. This brief outlines creation of an assessment plan for a notional LFSO scenario.
Aug 21, 2014
Report
Lessons Learned from the Afghan Mission Network: Developing a Coalition Contingency Network
Reviews and assesses the operational and technical history of the Afghan Mission Network, the primary network for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and identifies lessons learned for future coalition networks.
Mar 28, 2014
Report
Wireless Emergency Alerts: Mobile Penetration Strategy
This report characterizes the factors that affect wireless emergency alert (WEA) coverage, identifies barriers to public access to WEA alerts, and suggests options for increasing mobile penetration (adoption) of WEA nationwide.
Feb 12, 2014
Report
U.S. Navy Employment Options for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)
Assesses in what ways and to what degree unmanned surface vehicles are suitable for supporting U.S. Navy missions and functions.
Nov 1, 2013
Report
Leveraging Observations of Security Force Assistance in Afghanistan for Global Operations
Future U.S. Army Security Force Assistance missions, such as those envisioned for the U.S. Army's Regionally Aligned Forces, can benefit from the experience gained in Afghanistan as captured in this report.
Oct 16, 2013
Journal Article
Wireless Emergency Alerts: Mobile Penetration Strategy
The objective of this analysis was to independently assess the coverage and penetration of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system.
2013
Report
Pricing Strategies for NASA Wind-Tunnel Facilities
The authors explore six potential approaches to pricing the use of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) wind-tunnel test facilities, and they evaluate each approach against three criteria -- efficiency, fiscal impact, and fairness.
Oct 4, 2011
Report
Advancing Aeronautics: A Decision Framework for Selecting Research Agendas
Develops a unified decisionmaking approach for selecting aeronautics research agendas that quantifies the social and economic reasons for the research, balances competing perspectives, and enables transparent explanation of the resulting decisions.
Feb 17, 2011
Report
An Update of the Nation's Long-Term Strategic Needs for NASA's Aeronautics Test Facilities
The ability to develop aeronautical vehicles continues to rely on the capabilities of large government test facilities, and 26 NASA facilities continue to serve those needs, but national reliance and consolidation remains the next opportunity.
2009