Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics
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Associate Professor
Stevens Institute of Technology

https://www.stevens.edu/profile/hchen5

 

Abstract                                                                                                                                                       

What will it take to sustain human activity from Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars? Achieving this goal requires efficient supply networks, computational methods for complex design decisions, and crews that remain effective during extended missions. It needs a campaign-level perspective for space mission design in addition to the conventional mission-level perspective. This seminar presents systems engineering approaches to these challenges, drawing on research in space logistics, quantum computing, and human team dynamics. It first introduces state-of-the-art space logistics methods for long-term space mission planning, space resources utilization, and active orbital debris removal mission design. The seminar then explores emerging quantum computing approaches to engineering optimization and space mission planning. Finally, it examines the human dimension of sustained space activities. Multiple case studies for human lunar and Mars exploration campaigns and satellite constellation design will be shown.

 

About Dr. Hao Chen

 

Dr. Hao Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems Engineering and the director of the Complex Engineering Systems Lab at the Stevens Institute of Technology. His research program focuses on high-level engineering system design and optimization framework development to resolve emerging challenges in space logistics, quantum computing, and humans in space. He is the Chair of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Space Logistics and Industrial Systems Technical Committee. He is also the recipient of the Luigi G. Napolitano Award from the International Astronautical Federation in 2019. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. at Georgia Tech, his master’s degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and his bachelor’s degree at Sun Yat-sen University.