M. A. Perino

Papers

Total Citations

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About

M. A. Perino is a leading figure in space exploration strategy and human spaceflight infrastructure, with a career focused on defining Europe's role in future deep-space missions. Their research centers on two critical areas: the development of sustainable space architectures and the integration of biological life-support systems for long-duration habitation. Perino’s most influential work, "Outlook of possible European contributions to future exploration scenarios and architectures" (2013, 8 citations), provides a foundational framework for how European space agencies can collaborate on lunar and Martian exploration, influencing subsequent mission planning. Earlier, their 2002 paper "Greenhouse: A Strategic Element to Support Humans in Space" (7 citations) pioneered the concept of using controlled ecological life-support systems—specifically space greenhouses—as a strategic, not just experimental, component of human spaceflight. This work helped shift the conversation from short-term survival to long-term self-sufficiency. While citation counts are modest, Perino’s contributions are highly strategic, shaping European Space Agency (ESA) roadmaps and inspiring a generation of engineers to consider closed-loop life support as essential for permanent off-world settlements. Their vision remains a cornerstone for discussions on sustainable space exploration.