Recently, MIT Lincoln Laboratory recognized Jeff “Skunk” Baxter’s 20 years of creative technical contributions within the Laboratory by transmitting his recent album, 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡, from Earth to the NASA Laser Communications Demonstration Satellite and back again. For many years, Skunk has been actively involved in the Laboratory’s Strategic Red Team for setting the directions for new missions and programs. He has also been involved in developing ideas for new capabilities to counter advanced threats. Skunk was a 2020 inductee into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.
Skunk is a great example of the value of blending the (performing) arts and sciences.
Skunk’s the real deal and in my opinion, represents one of the finest melding of art and science. While this accolade is very well-deserved, what may not be known to many is his support of the annual Spookstock music festival. On many occasions, he’s lent his remarkable talents to a wonderful cause—helping the families of our fallen special operators. Go Skunk, go!
If I remember correctly he was with the Doobie Brothers who I saw for $7.50 in 1976 at the New Haven Coliseum:)
I had to look up Skunk Baxter. Now I have a new favorite station on Pandora. Who knew a rock-and-roll musician would also become a self-taught expert in missile defense and red team systems analysis. Very cool!!
Best business card ever - if it hasn’t changed lately.
And he is a very nice guy , who also supports many great charities.
Excellent 👍. I briefed him on THAAD ER about 8 yrs ago. He’s a legend.
Awesome! I had the distinct honor of meeting Skunk at the 2009 Missile Defense Conference, in London. A true gentleman.
Sr. Principal Scientist at The MITRE Corporation
2wAnd well before Skunk, there was Hedy Lamarr, the Austrian-born actress who in the early 1940s co-invented a spread spectrum frequency hopping guidance technology that was well ahead of its time.