Roman V. Kruzelecky

Space Photonics (United States), MPB Technologies & Communications (Canada), MRV Communications (United States)

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Roman V. Kruzelecky is a leading aerospace engineer specializing in planetary exploration technologies, with a focus on simulating and surviving extreme extraterrestrial environments. His key research areas include dusty thermal vacuum testing, robotic subsurface sample analysis, and landed mission concepts for the Moon and Mars. Kruzelecky’s major contributions center on the design and integration of the Dusty Thermal Vacuum (DTVAC) facility, a unique testbed that replicates the harsh, dust-laden conditions of the lunar and Martian surfaces, enabling payloads up to one cubic meter to be validated for extended off-world operations. He also advanced in-situ resource exploration through miniature robotic labs capable of analyzing planetary mineralogy and microbiology. His work on the Inukshuk landed rover mission for the Canadian Space Agency laid groundwork for autonomous sample analysis on Mars. While his highly specialized papers have garnered modest citation counts (2–4 each), their impact is profound in enabling future landers, rovers, and human habitats to survive and operate beyond low Earth orbit. Kruzelecky’s efforts are critical to the next generation of space exploration infrastructure.