Advanced Mission Architectures for Long-term Exploration of Mars, Venus, and Beyond

The increasing complexity of future space exploration roadmaps calls for novel mission architectures, integrated mission analysis, and systems engineering frameworks to inform early decision-making and technological innovation. In this talk, I will discuss the mission architecture and analysis of two multi-decade campaigns: (1) human missions to Mars, and (2) astrobiology-driven missions to Venus. First, I will present the orbital design considerations and results for Mars Spacedock, an orbital platform for sustainable human exploration. A system-level optimization incorporates discreet mission constraints and comprehensive analysis across all the mission phases from interplanetary trajectories to entry, descent, and landing (EDL). Surface accessibility from candidate orbits is obtained by implementing constant bank angle control during EDL. Next, I will discuss the mission design for a series of missions to Venus searching for signs of life in the clouds. I will highlight the early trade-offs between objectives and operational constraints for a balloon platform and a sample return mission. A focal point will be the Venus ascent vehicle design for sample return through launch trajectory optimization. Additionally, I will briefly discuss ongoing experiments to establish the feasibility of instruments for in situ analysis of sulfuric acid clouds. Finally, I will discuss my future research plans in mission design, systems engineering, and innovative small-scale spacecraft testing platforms for advanced technologies such as GNC during proximity operations.  

Speaker: Dr. Rachana Agarwal

Biography: Rachana Agrawal is currently a Postdoctoral Associate in the Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences department with Prof. Sara Seager at MIT. She is leading mission design and instrumentation projects for astrobiology-focused missions to Venus. She obtained her PhD from the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University under the supervision of Prof. James Longuski and Prof. Sarag Saikia. Her PhD work focused on the design and analysis of an orbital logistics architecture for the sustainable human exploration of Mars. She is broadly interested in robotic and human space mission engineering with current focus on mission analysis, systems engineering, and technological innovation and development.