Damian Pietrusiak

Wrocław University of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Damian Pietrusiak is a rising figure in lunar infrastructure engineering, whose work addresses one of the most pressing challenges for sustained human presence on the Moon: the hazardous effects of regolith ejection during launch and landing operations. His most-cited paper, “Site Preparation for a Lunar Launch and Landing Pad” (2024, 5 citations), provides a critical analysis of how unprepared lunar surfaces can excavate tons of regolith, sending high-velocity particles kilometers from the landing site and even injecting them into lunar orbit. Pietrusiak’s research establishes the urgent need for lunar launch and landing pads (LLPs) to protect both surface assets and orbital infrastructure from debris damage. By quantifying the risks of uncontrolled regolith dispersal, he has laid foundational groundwork for future lunar base design and construction. His work is particularly notable for bridging civil engineering principles with space exploration challenges, offering practical site-preparation strategies that could enable safer, more sustainable lunar operations. As the Artemis program and commercial lunar missions accelerate, Pietrusiak’s contributions are becoming increasingly vital for mission planners and habitat designers alike.