Planet Z - The Company
Planet Z Tech, LLC is a start-up technologies company that uses Engineering Science and Mechanics to develop new products for the Earth and Space.
Dr. Charles Welch
Company Director
Dr. Charles Robert Welch “Bob” is a Physicist and Engineer. He has a PhD in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Virginia Tech.
His research includes shock physics, sensors, materials, advanced structures, and explosion effects, and focuses on the intersection of Civil Engineering, Space Technologies, and Physics.
He is the recipient of over 40 Government and Professional Awards, including a U.S. Presidential Letter of Commendation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Researcher of the Year Award.
He has over 100 technical and Governmental publications, 8 U.S. patents, and 2 pending U.S. patents. He is a member of the American Physical Society, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a Senior Member of the IEEE.
Dr. James Baylot
Company Lead for Structural Analysis
Dr. James “Jimmy” T. Baylot is a Research Structural
Engineer. He has a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied
Mechanics from the University of Illinois Champaign-
Urbana.
His research focuses on hardened structures and their response to dynamic loads and, in particular, the Finite Element dynamic modeling of structures.
He is the recipient of many Governmental and professional awards including 4 Director Awards from the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center and a US Army Research and Development Award.
He has over 140 professional and Governmental publications and 2 pending US patents. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineering.
Joe Durkee
Operations Manager
Howard “Joe” C. Durkee is a retired Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) from the United States Air Force. He completed 24 years of active duty in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. He deployed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq during his time in service.
After his Air Force retirement, Joe served for 15 years with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), where he ultimately became the Program Manager for an emergency management database used to track emergency response event activities of over 15,000 USACE emergency responders.
Joe received his BA in Business Management from Wayland Baptist University and an MA in Education from TOURO University.
Meggie Edwards
Public Relations
Meggie Edwards received her BA in Geography and Theatre from Cal State Los Angeles.
She works as an actor, director, artist, and educator. She currently has one patent pending.
Planet Z’s R & D Collaborators
PZT is teaming with the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) of the University of Southern Mississippi, and with Mississippi State University Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS), to advance and commercialize HESE technology for general terrestrial and extraterrestrial use.
MPI has an extensive history in partnering with private companies in the development of polymers and fabric structures and products. MPI has the necessary facilities and expertise in carrying out the research necessary to ensure the HESE membrane fabrics will withstand the harsh temperature and radiation environments of the Moon and Mars.
CAVS has complete facilities to build and perform structural experiments on prototype lunar HESE beams and columns. CAVS also has extensive experience in partnering with private companies in the development of products and fabrication methods and quality assurance.