John T. Howe (1928–2022) was a mechanical engineer and former chief scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California.
He is known for his pioneering research contributions to the aerothermodynamics of atmospheric entry, including radiative energy transfer, reactive gas flows, and innovative thermal protection systems.
He taught hypervelocity atmospheric flight and real gas phenomena at Stanford University.
After several years with Stanford Research Institute, he joined the Ames Laboratory of NASA.
He was a member of the AIAA Thermophysics Technical Committee (1982–84) and an associate editor for the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets (1982–84).