Introduction
Dr. Ave Kludze is the first Ghanaian to command and control a Spacecraft in Orbit from a mission control center. Dr Ave Kludze is a Ghanaian aerospace engineer and civil servant, specializing in complex systems engineering and design. He is a senior NASA Spacecraft Systems Engineer.
Early Life and Education
Ave Kludze was born in Hohoe, in the Volta Region of Ghana to Anselmus Kludze, a legal reformer who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, and Comfort Brempong who worked with the Bank of Ghana. He spent his early years growing up in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra.
Kludze’s fascination with aviation began with a trip to the airport in Accra as a young boy.
Although he came from a background of lawyers his interest in engineering surpassed law.
He earned his high school diploma from Adisadel College in Cape Coast and completed his ‘A’ levels at Swedru Secondary School. He traveled to the United States to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Rutgers University.
After graduation, he completed his master’s degree in systems engineering at Johns Hopkins University and his Ph.D. in systems engineering at George Washington University.
Career and Achievements
Dr. Kludze joined NASA and held positions at various NASA Centers, including the NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia and the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. There, he became the first Ghanaian to command and control a Spacecraft in Orbit from a mission control center. He was also involved in designing and building spacecraft.
He designed the Locator System, which uses a combination of nanotechnology, satellite communications, and GPS to locate a subject anywhere in the world. A typical example is ankle monitors and pet trackers.
In 2004, Kludze and a group of NASA engineers developed an infrared camera for space-walking astronauts. The camera was designed to fulfill a critical inspection need for the Shuttle Program.
Even before he left Ghana, Kludze had the intention to return to Ghana help develop a way we can use our natural resources efficiently. Therefore he began to focus on how to harness the sun’s energy for electricity which would be a great benefit to the continent. He had a keen interest in solar air conditioning, solar water heaters, solar lamps, and many more. He believed strongly that, for Africa to develop, it must use its natural resources and integrate technologies that benefit the continent.
Kludze also outlined the need for Ghana to look into other methods of electricity generation in the country. He stressed the need to research more into diverse methods of producing cheap electricity, as for example, from refuse. He urges the country to minimize its dependency on the Akosombo dam. Similar to other human-made structures, such as roads and bridges, dams unfortunately do not last forever. Ave also encouraged schools in Ghana and across Africa to prioritize practical learning over excessive reliance on theory, emphasizing the need to develop solutions to real-life problems.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Kludze has actively participated in various space initiatives. He was selected to join the NASA Engineering and Safety Center as a systems engineering expert. He also served as the manager of NASA Langley’s Integrated Design Center, which facilitated collaboration among scientists and engineers to develop project designs.
Additionally, he held the role of Traceability and Verification Manager for the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO). His research work in systems engineering has been recognized globally, with numerous publications and multiple awards from NASA and external organizations to his credit.
In 2002, Ave Kludze was recognized and honored at the Second Biennial Adisadel College Excellence Awards, by the Adisadel College Old Boys Association and the College.
In 2016, Kludze was crowned as the Development Chief, locally known as Togbe Nunyaga I, in his hometown of Hohoe. As part of his dedication to education, he provided scholarships to 20 deserving students to support their studies at the secondary and tertiary levels.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Ave Kludze’s remarkable journey from a young boy fascinated by aviation in Ghana to a senior NASA spacecraft systems engineer is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. As the first Ghanaian to command and control a spacecraft in orbit from a mission control center, he has paved the way for future African scientists and engineers in the field of aerospace.
Beyond his contributions to space exploration, Dr. Kludze remains deeply committed to advancing technology and sustainable energy solutions in Africa. His advocacy for practical education, renewable energy, and innovative approaches to electricity generation highlights his vision for the continent’s progress.
