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About

Carlie H. Zumwalt is a leading aerospace engineer whose work has fundamentally shaped NASA’s strategy for landing large payloads on Mars. Her primary research focuses on Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) systems, trajectory guidance, and aerocapture—the critical technologies needed to transition from robotic probes to human-scale missions. Zumwalt’s most influential contribution is her leadership on the NASA-commissioned Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis (EDL-SA) Study. Her Phase 1 report (2010, 97 citations) serves as the foundational roadmap for the agency’s EDL technology investments, identifying the key advancements required to move beyond the 1-1.5 metric ton limit of current systems. The subsequent Phase 2 report (2011, 27 citations) extended this work by outlining feed-forward systems for future human exploration. Beyond Mars, Zumwalt has also pioneered trajectory designs for Venus, including the High Altitude Venus Operations Concept (HAVOC), which explores aerocapture and descent for lighter-than-air missions. Her work is essential reading for any engineer or student aiming to understand the path from today’s robotic landers to tomorrow’s crewed planetary touchdowns.