Susan Stachowiak
Papers
1
Total Citations
16
H-Index
1
About
Susan Stachowiak is a leading aerospace engineer whose research focuses on entry, descent, and landing (EDL) systems for human Mars missions. Her most cited work, "Mid-Lift-to-Drag Ratio Rigid Vehicle Control System Design and Simulation for Human Mars Entry" (2018, 16 citations), addresses a critical challenge in NASA’s Evolvable Mars Campaign: safely delivering heavy payloads—up to 20 metric tons—to the Martian surface. Stachowiak’s major contribution lies in designing and simulating control systems for the Mid-Lift-to-Drag Ratio Rigid Vehicle (MRV), a proposed spacecraft that balances aerodynamic performance with structural rigidity. By developing guidance and control algorithms tailored to Mars’ thin atmosphere, her work directly supports NASA’s Pathfinder EDL architecture study, advancing the feasibility of human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Her research bridges theoretical control theory and practical spacecraft design, offering solutions for high-mass planetary landings. Stachowiak’s impact extends through her role in shaping next-generation EDL technologies, making her a key figure in the quest to land humans on Mars.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
- 1