Susan Breon

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About

Susan Breon is a pioneering aerospace engineer whose work is central to the future of in-space refueling and cryogenic fluid management. Her key research areas focus on developing the technologies necessary to store and transfer cryogenic propellants—like liquid hydrogen and oxygen—in the microgravity environment of orbit. Breon’s most significant contribution is her leadership on the Robotic Refueling Mission-3 (RRM3), an external payload on the International Space Station. As detailed in her most-cited paper, "Robotic Refueling Mission-3—an overview" (2020, 20 citations), she and her team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center designed and built the system to demonstrate critical techniques for on-orbit cryogenic servicing. This work is foundational for enabling long-duration missions, such as those to the Moon and Mars, where spacecraft must be refueled in space. Her earlier paper, "Techniques for on-orbit cryogenic servicing" (2014, 9 citations), laid the groundwork for these demonstrations. By solving the complex challenge of handling super-cold fuels in zero gravity, Breon is directly advancing the capabilities needed for sustainable human exploration beyond Earth.