James Donahue Burke (September 18, 1925 – August 19, 2023) was an American lunar settlement and exploration expert.

Following JPL's transfer from the U.S. Navy to NASA,[clarification needed] and reorganization during early 1960, the Lunar and Planetary Program was created.

Burke was named deputy of the Lunar Program under Clifford Cummings, before becoming the Ranger Spacecraft Project Manager as well.

Burke could combine the technological and theoretical to integrate mechanical and electrical features to achieve the difficult technical objectives.

He was recognized as one of the laboratory's most perceptive research engineers, and advanced to become deputy to Cummings on the Vega Program.