June 29, 2011
February 2, 2010
Professor Raynor L. Duncombe was elected Fellow of the Institution of Navigation (ION) “for his involvement in developing the initial methods for tracking the first artificial satellites, and for his leadership in the production of almanacs and the development of the new celestial reference system in the 1970s, and for his contributions in the founding of the International Association of Institutes of Navigation.”
Election to fellow membership of ION recognizes the distinguished contributions to the advancement of the technology, management, practice and teaching of the arts and sciences of navigation; and/or lifetime contributions to The Institution.
From 1950 until 1975, Dr. Duncombe worked in the Nautical Almanac Office of the US Naval Observatory and was director of the same from 1963-1975. He was an early member of the ION and held many offices, including president.
Dr. Duncombe’s research interests include astrometry from space, space reference frames and motions of principal planets and minor planets. He specializes in orbital mechanics and dynamical astronomy.
He has served on the Cockrell School of Engineering faculty since 1976. He has 33 years of industrial experience, has published more than 200 technical articles and reports and has authored or edited five books. Professor Duncombe currently teaches the graduate course “Determination of Time”.
