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About

Hilary Shyface is a pioneering aerospace engineer whose work focuses on enabling sustainable human exploration of Mars through advanced space architectures. Her research centers on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), reusable lander systems, and low-latency teleoperations—critical technologies for transitioning from Earth-dependent missions to self-sufficient Martian outposts. In her most influential paper, "Sustaining Human Presence on Mars Using ISRU and a Reusable Lander" (2015, 22 citations), Shyface presents a comprehensive analysis of how automation and resource harvesting can dramatically reduce supply needs from Earth, outlining a phased approach to achieving long-term habitation. This work has become a foundational reference for NASA's Evolvable Mars Campaign, shaping discussions on surface and transportation architecture trade-offs. She also contributed to the concept of Crew-Assisted Sample Return, demonstrating how low-latency telerobotics could enable astronauts to remotely acquire and analyze Martian samples from orbital or surface outposts. While her citation counts reflect a niche but growing field, Shyface’s forward-looking systems-level thinking has earned her recognition as a key voice in next-generation Mars mission planning—her ideas continue to influence engineers and mission designers working toward humanity’s next giant leap.