Professor Nikolaos Gatsonis, head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, shared his expertise with both the CBS and ABC affiliates in Boston for their coverage of the return of Artemis II from its lunar fly-by. Gatsonis explained the technical challenges associated with spacecraft re-entry, the science behind why a communications blackout is experienced as astronauts return to Earth, and the significance of the Artemis II mission in advancing space travel and exploration.

Nikolaos Gatsonis, professor and head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, provided analysis for an article in Forbes about NASA’s plans for a nuclear-powered mission to Mars. He spoke about the state of nuclear electric propulsion for spacecraft and the potential advantages of and challenges associated with using this propulsion method for a Mars mission.