Marc A. Gibson

Papers

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About

Marc A. Gibson is a pioneering aerospace engineer and nuclear systems researcher whose work has significantly advanced humanity's capacity for deep space exploration. Gibson's research centers on space fission power systems, with a particular focus on developing compact, reliable nuclear reactors capable of sustaining long-duration missions beyond the inner solar system. His most celebrated contribution is his central role in the Kilopower project, a breakthrough initiative launched under NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate in 2015. The program culminated in the landmark KRUSTY (Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY) experiment, which successfully demonstrated stable fission reactor operation under both nominal and severe simulated mission conditions — a critical milestone in reducing the technical risk of deploying nuclear power systems in space. His 2020 paper exploring higher power design concepts for the Kilopower reactor has already garnered 18 citations, while his 2016 overview of the Nuclear Systems Kilopower project has accumulated 10 citations. Together, these works represent foundational contributions to a new era of space nuclear power, potentially enabling sustained human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.