Charles Bacon

Goddard Space Flight Center, Orbital ATK (United States)

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Charles Bacon is a forward-thinking aerospace engineer whose work centers on extending the life and capability of space observatories through on-orbit robotic servicing and propellant replenishment. His research tackles the critical challenge of spacecraft design for maintainability, particularly for missions destined for the distant Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 2 (SEL2). Bacon’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that by enabling robotic refueling and servicing, spacecraft can achieve significantly higher science returns without the prohibitive cost of launching entirely new missions. His 2017 paper, "Designing Spacecraft to Enable Robotic Servicing," and his 2016 study on SEL2 servicing—which highlights the careful allocation of propellant mass—have laid foundational concepts for next-generation, serviceable observatories. While his citation counts are modest (3 and 2 respectively), his work is highly specialized and influential within the satellite servicing community, directly informing NASA’s and industry’s strategies for sustainable space operations. Bacon’s insights are particularly valuable for students and researchers interested in the intersection of spacecraft architecture, orbital mechanics, and cost-effective deep-space exploration.