Papers
6
Total Citations
177
H-Index
4
About
Mark Ivanov is an aerospace engineer whose career has been defined by his pioneering contributions to Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) systems for Mars missions. His most influential work centers on the NASA EDL Systems Analysis (EDL-SA) Study, a landmark initiative commissioned in 2008 to chart the technology investments necessary for safely delivering large payloads — both robotic and human-scale — to the Martian surface. His 2010 Phase 1 Report from this study has garnered 97 citations, establishing it as a foundational reference in planetary EDL research, with subsequent overview papers adding further reach to this body of work. Beyond roadmapping future capabilities, Ivanov has made hands-on contributions to experimental EDL research. His work on the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) — building on lessons from the Mars Science Laboratory mission — advanced understanding of supersonic parachute dynamics critical for Mars robotic applications. He also contributed to post-flight reconstruction efforts for NASA's Low Density Supersonic Decelerator project, helping evaluate next-generation deceleration technologies. Across his career, Ivanov's research has directly informed how humanity plans to land on Mars, making him a consequential figure in the field of planetary entry systems engineering.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis Study: Phase 1 Report97 citations · 2010
- 2Overview of the NASA Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis Stud38 citations · 2010
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- 5LDSD supersonic Flight Dynamics Test 1: Post-flight reconstruction3 citations · 2015
- 6ASPIRE Flight Mechanics Modeling and Post Flight Analysis3 citations · 2018