Lisa Policastri
Papers
1
Total Citations
13
H-Index
1
About
Lisa Policastri is a distinguished aerospace engineer and mission operations expert whose work has been pivotal to the success of NASA’s robotic lunar exploration. Her primary research areas encompass spacecraft mission architecture, real-time operations, and anomaly resolution for deep-space science missions. She is best known for her leadership as the Mission Operations Manager for the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), where she orchestrated the complex choreography of a fast-paced, low-cost mission that combined lunar science with technology demonstration. Her seminal paper, “Operating LADEE: Mission architecture, challenges, anomalies, and successes” (2015, 13 citations), provides an authoritative account of overcoming critical operational hurdles—from spacecraft anomalies to tight orbital constraints—to achieve all of LADEE’s scientific and engineering goals. This work is a cornerstone reference for mission planners and operators, demonstrating how innovative operations strategies can maximize science return under budget and schedule pressure. Policastri’s contributions have directly shaped best practices for small satellite and lunar mission operations, establishing her as a leading voice in the field of spacecraft flight operations.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Operating LADEE: Mission architecture, challenges, anomalies, and successes13 citations · 2015