Omar S. Bekdash

Johnson Space Center, Wyle (United States)

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Omar S. Bekdash is a space exploration researcher whose work sits at the intersection of human spaceflight architecture, mission planning, and deep space habitation systems. His most recognized contribution examines the strategic value of crewed missions to Phobos — Mars's innermost moon — as a critical stepping stone before committing astronauts to the Martian surface. With 13 citations on his leading paper, Bekdash has argued compellingly that a Phobos mission would accelerate the development of Mars transportation infrastructure, unmanned cargo delivery systems, and essential surface technologies, while offering unique scientific return and public engagement opportunities. This work reflects a pragmatic, phased approach to Mars exploration that has resonated within the human spaceflight community. Beyond interplanetary mission architecture, Bekdash has contributed to NASA's NextSTEP program, helping develop rigorous ground test and analysis protocols for next-generation deep space habitation concepts — work that directly supports the commercial-government partnerships driving cislunar and beyond-Earth-orbit exploration. Together, his publications reveal a researcher dedicated to bridging near-term engineering feasibility with long-horizon human exploration goals, making his work particularly valuable for students and mission planners charting humanity's path to Mars.