Mr. Murphy co-founded SolarReserve, along with US Renewables Group, after a twenty-seven year career at Rocketdyne, where he was the Director of Advanced Power Systems and Business Development. His executive responsibilities at Rocketdyne covered a wide range of advanced power systems for both space and terrestrial applications. His former organization continues to be a recognized technology leader in concentrated solar power, liquid metal heat transport, systems engineering of space power/propulsion systems, and nuclear power generation.
Prior to the acquisition of Rocketdyne by United Technologies, Mr. Murphy was the Division Director of Boeing Energy Systems. His business unit generated over 40 patents which leveraged aerospace technologies into clean and renewable terrestrial energy projects. Mr. Murphy solidified many external partnerships, which led to the redesigned and improved the reliability of gas turbines, coal gasification and hydrogen production systems. Mr. Murphy was also responsible for a host of technology contracts supporting the NASA exploration initiatives and led the capture of a deep space radioisotope thermoelectric generator power system award from the Department of Energy.
As the Director of Advanced Engine Programs and International Business Development, Mr. Murphy formulated the design of the RS-68 booster engine for the Boeing Delta IV launch vehicle and initiated several international teaming agreements for upper stage engines. The RS-68 is the largest hydrogen engine in the world and was originally developed for commercial launches, and has also been selected by NASA for their next generation launch system due to its low cost and demonstrated reliability.
Mr. Murphy earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University and was honored in 2005 with their Outstanding Engineering Award. He also earned a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, is an Associate Fellow of the AIAA and has authored several patents relating to concentrated solar power applications.
