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About

Marilena Di Carlo is a space systems engineer and astrodynamics researcher whose work focuses on intelligent control systems and interplanetary mission design. Her most influential paper, "Classifying Intelligence in Machines: A Taxonomy of Intelligent Control" (2020, 18 citations), provides a foundational framework for understanding how control systems can exhibit human-like adaptability and learning—a critical contribution to the growing field of autonomous spacecraft operations. Di Carlo’s expertise in mission architecture is demonstrated through her work on the "Advanced concept for a crewed mission to the martian moons" (2017, 5 citations), which outlines a feasible human exploration scenario for Phobos and Deimos. Her most celebrated achievement is the IMaGInE (Innovative Mars Global International Exploration) Mission concept, which won first place in a 2016 competition. This award-winning design proposes delivering a crew of four to Deimos for a 343-day stay while conducting robotic exploration of Phobos, showcasing her ability to integrate technical rigor with visionary planning. With a career bridging intelligent control theory and practical deep-space mission design, Di Carlo is shaping how future explorers will reach and operate around Mars.