Barbara Romig

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Barbara Romig is a key figure in NASA’s human spaceflight operations, specializing in extravehicular activity (EVA) systems and analog field testing. Her major contributions center on leading the Advanced Extravehicular Activity (AEVA) team at Johnson Space Center, where she orchestrated the Desert Research and Technology Studies (D-RATS) field tests. These high-fidelity analog missions in the Arizona desert simulate planetary surface operations, allowing engineers to evaluate new spacesuit technologies, rover concepts, and crew procedures under realistic conditions. Her 2007 D-RATS report (10 citations) and 2006 report (6 citations) serve as foundational references for optimizing EVA systems and human-robotic collaboration for future lunar and Martian exploration. Through her leadership, Romig helped bridge the gap between laboratory design and field operations, directly influencing NASA’s approach to surface mobility and crew safety. Her work remains a cornerstone for researchers developing next-generation exploration architectures, demonstrating how rigorous analog testing accelerates the readiness of critical technologies for deep-space missions.