Mairead Stackpoole
Papers
1
Total Citations
7
H-Index
1
About
Mairead Stackpoole is a leading figure in thermal protection systems for deep space exploration, with her work centered on advancing Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) technology. As a key researcher at NASA, she has focused on sustaining and evolving PICA—a low-density ablative material invented in the mid-1990s—to meet the demanding requirements of future robotic science missions, including those under the New Frontiers 4 and Discovery programs. Her major contribution lies in demonstrating that PICA remains a viable, proven solution for sample return missions from the Moon, asteroids, comets, and other unrestricted Class V destinations, as well as for Mars. Her 2018 paper on this topic, with 7 citations, underscores her role in ensuring this critical material continues to enable ambitious exploration goals. Stackpoole’s work is pivotal for mission planners, offering a reliable thermal protection option that balances low density with high performance. Through her research, she has solidified PICA’s legacy as a cornerstone of NASA’s planetary science efforts, directly supporting the agency’s most challenging robotic endeavors.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1