Graham Dektor

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About

Graham Dektor is a space mission design researcher specializing in low-thrust trajectory optimization and small-body exploration. His work focuses on developing innovative mission architectures for CubeSat-scale spacecraft, particularly for challenging deep-space destinations. Dektor’s most notable contribution is the conceptual design of the Perseus mission, a CubeSat mission to Phobos, which demonstrates how small satellites can achieve meaningful scientific returns at Mars’ moons. This work, published in 2020, has garnered 4 citations and highlights his ability to solve complex trajectory problems for resource-constrained spacecraft. By showing that CubeSats can reach Phobos—a key staging point for future human Mars missions—Dektor’s research supports the growing interest in low-cost planetary exploration. His trajectory designs enable missions that could answer fundamental questions about the origin of Mars’ moons while also providing practical stopover sites for human exploration. Dektor’s contributions are particularly valuable as the space community increasingly turns to small satellites for affordable, high-impact science.