Blueprints for the Cosmos: The Meticulous Art of Planning Interplanetary Missions

We pull back the curtain on the incredibly complex process of planning missions to other worlds.

Dr. Hakeem Ali-Bocas Alexander guides us through the meticulous multi-year process that transforms scientific dreams into executable interplanetary missions.

•Discover how mission planners balance scientific objectives with engineering realities, defining clear goals that align with technological capabilities and destination challenges.

•Explore how spacecraft and instruments are specifically designed to withstand the extreme environments of different celestial bodies, from Martian dust storms to Jovian radiation.

•Learn how orbital mechanics and planetary alignments determine launch windows and trajectories, using gravitational assists to maximize efficiency across vast distances.

•Understand the critical importance of budgeting, funding, and contingency planning in making these multi-billion dollar missions feasible and sustainable.