All Stories

  1. Human Mission to Phobos as an Introductory Mission to Mars

    Article • July 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  2. The Evolution Of Mars Landing and Ascent Vehicles: From Returning Samples to Returning Crew

    Article • July 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Douglas Cooke, Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  3. Fifteen Years to the Interstellar Medium with An Enhanced NASA Space Launch System Launcher

    Article • July 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  4. Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Exploration Upper Stage: Enabling Efficient Transfers to Distant Destinations

    Article • July 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  5. Mars Sample Return Mission Concept: A Simplified Approach Using A Single Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle

    Article • January 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  6. An SLS Launched Titan Balloon-Spacecraft Mission

    Article • January 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  7. Future Mission Capabilities Enabled by an Evolved NTP Powered Space Launch System Exploration Upper Stage

    Article • January 2025, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Douglas Cooke, Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  8. Deep Space Telescope: An SLS Launched Space Telescope Landed on the Far-Side of Phobos

    Article • July 2024, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  9. Riding the Atmospheric Currents of Titan: An SLS Launched Titan Balloon-Spacecraft Mission

    Article • July 2024, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  10. Maximizing the Potential of NASA’s Super Heavy Launch Vehicles: Lessons From Saturn V

    Article • July 2024, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  11. Using a Single Launch Mars Sample Return Concept to Reduce Mission Complexity

    Article • July 2024, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  12. A Dual Outer Planet Missions to Uranus and Neptune Launched With A Single SLS

    Article • March 2024, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  13. Single SLS Launched Dual Outer Planet Mission: Flagship Spacecraft Missions to Uranus and Neptune

    Article • October 2023, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  14. Crewed Mars Ascent Stages: Propellant Options, Configuration Alternatives and Performance Factors

    Article • October 2023, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  15. The NASA SLS Launched Crewed 2034 Venus Flyby Mission

    Article • October 2023, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  16. A Phobos and Deimos Sample Return Mission Spacecraft Launched as a Co-manifested Payload on The NASA SLS Launcher

    Article • October 2022, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  17. Functional Comparisons and Advantages of Integrated Spacecraft

    Article • November 2021, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  18. Future Missions for the NASA Space Launch System

    Article • July 2021, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  19. Mars Polar Ice Robotic Lander Launched by the SLS Heavy Lift Launcher

    Article • July 2021, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  20. Capabilities for a 2033 Crew Mars Flyby Mission Launched with the NASA Space Launch System

    Article • July 2021, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  21. Space Launch System Development Status and Advanced Capability for Exploration Missions

    Article • March 2021, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  22. the NASA SLS Development Status and Capabilities for Advanced Beyond Earth Missions

    Article • November 2020, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  23. SLS Evolution: Technologies and Performance

    Article • August 2020, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  24. Crewed Lunar Missions and Architectures Enabled by the NASA Space Launch System

    Article • March 2020, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  25. The Space Launch System's Enablement of Crewed Lunar Missions and Architectures

    Article • August 2019, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  26. The NASA SLS Upper Stage Development and Mission Opportunities

    Article • March 2019, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  27. Space Launch System Exploration Upper Stage Development & Missions

    Article • September 2018, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  28. The NASA SLS Exploration Upper Stage Development & Mission Opportunities

    Article • July 2018, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  29. Scientific and human exploration missions enabled by the space launch system block 1B configuration

    Article • March 2018, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  30. Space Launch System: Block 1B Configuration: Development and Mission Opportunities

    Article • July 2017, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  31. Space launch system: Mission opportunities

    Article • March 2017, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  32. Space Launch System: Development Status

    Article • September 2016, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  33. Exploration opportunities enabled by the space launch system

    Article • March 2016, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  34. Scientific and Human Exploration Opportunities Enabled by the Space Launch System

    Article • August 2015, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  35. Human Lunar missions and other exploration opportunities enabled by the Space Launch System

    Article • March 2015, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  36. The Space Launch System Capabilities for Beyond Earth Missions

    Article • July 2014, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  37. Gateway Space Exploration Missions Enabled by the Space Launch System

    Article • September 2013, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  38. SLS Capabilities to Support an Earth-Moon L-Point Node for Lunar Missions

    Article • July 2013, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  39. Exploration Missions in 2020-2035 Based From High Earth Orbit

    Article • September 2011, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  40. An L1 Based Integration Node for Lunar and Mars Exploration with Solar Electric Propulsion for LEO to L1 and Mars Transfer

    Article • July 2011, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  41. Solar Electric and Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Architectures for Human Mars Missions Beginning in 2033

    Article • July 2010, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  42. Ares-III: A Shuttle Derived Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle Concept for Exploration Missions

    Article • July 2010, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  43. Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles with Existing Propulsion Systems

    Article • April 2010, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  44. Ares V Enabled Opportunities for Space Science: The Titan Sample Return and the Large Space Telescope Missions

    Article • September 2009, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  45. Lunar Lander Ascent Module Configuration and Propulsion Studies

    Article • September 2009, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  46. Configuration Options to Maximize Lunar Surface Reuse of Altair Lander Structure and Systems

    Article • September 2009, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  47. Space Transportation System Availability and Its Relationships to Life Cycle Cost

    Article • August 2009, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  48. Concepts for Life Cycle Cost Control Required to Achieve Space Transportation Affordability and Sustainability

    Article • August 2009, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  49. Ares-V Additional Mission Opportunities

    Article • September 2008, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  50. Boeing Design Trades in Support of the NASA Altair Lunar Lander Concept Definition

    Article • September 2008, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  51. Space Transportation System Life Cycle Cost Assessment and Control

    Article • July 2008, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  52. Lunar Lander Concepts for Human Exploration -AIAA Journal of Spacecraft & Rockets, March 2008

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, March 2008, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  53. In-Situ Propellant Supplied Lunar Lander Concept

    Article • January 2008, American Institute of Physics

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  54. Low Recurring Cost, Partially Reusable Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, January 2008, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  55. Lunar Lander Concept Design for the 2019 NASA Outpost Mission

    Article • September 2007, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  56. Lunar Lander Concepts for Human Exploration

    Article • September 2006, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  57. Solar Electric and Chemical Propulsion for a Titan Mission

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, September 2006, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  58. Mars Transfer Vehicle and Lander Concepts for Human Exploration Missions in the 2031–2038 Time Frame

    Article • January 2006, American Institute of Physics

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  59. Chemical and Solar-Electric-Propulsion Systems Analyses for Mars Sample Return Missions

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, January 2006, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  60. Chemical and Solar Electric aPropulsion Systems Analyses for Mars Sample Return Missions

    Article • July 2004, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  61. A Partially Reusable Launch Vehicle for Delivering 65 Metric Ton Payloads to Low Earth Orbit

    Article • July 2004, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  62. Beating the Rocket Equation: Air Launch With Advanced Chemical Propulsion

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, March 2004, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  63. Supersonic Airlaunch with Advanced Chemical Propulsion

    Article • July 2003, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  64. Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Outer Planet Missions

    Article • July 2003, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  65. Two-Stage Launch Vehicles for Heavy Payloads

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, January 2002, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  66. Comparative Analysis of Current NASA Human Mars Mission Architectures

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, September 2001, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  67. Architecture selection - The key decision for human Mars mission planning

    Article • July 2001, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  68. Air-launched mini-shuttle

    Article • July 2001, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  69. Human Mars transportation applications using solar electric propulsion

    Article • September 2000, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  70. In-space transportation for GEO space solar power satellites

    Article • July 2000, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  71. Earth-to-geostationary orbit transportation for space solar power system deployment

    Article • July 2000, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  72. Comparative analysis of current NASA human Mars Mission architectures

    Article • July 2000, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  73. Two stage to orbit launch vehicles for delivering heavy payloads to low Earth orbit

    Article • July 2000, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  74. Advanced plasma propulsion for human missions to Jupiter

    Article • January 2000, American Institute of Physics

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  75. Self-assembling transfer vehicles for human Mars missions

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, July 1999, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  76. Human Mars missions - Cost driven architecture assessments

    Article • October 1998, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  77. Mars ascent concept using NTR with lithium propellant

    Article • July 1998, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  78. Lunar Landing Craft for the Reusable Launch Vehicle and Shuttle Vehicles

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, July 1997, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  79. Lunar landing craft design for the RLV and Shuttle

    Article • September 1996, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  80. Mars ascent-stage design utilizing nuclear propulsion

    Article • Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, May 1995, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  81. SELF-ASSEMBLING MARS TRANSFER VEHICLES: THE PREFERRED CONCEPT OF THE SPACE TRANSFER CONCEPTS AND ANALYSIS FOR EXPLORATION MISSIONS STUDY

    Article • June 1994, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  82. Lunar lander configuration study and parametric performance analysis

    Article • June 1993, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  83. Nuclear Propulsion & In-Situ Oxygen Propellant Supply for Mars Ascent Vehicles: A Comparison

    Article • June 1993, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  84. Lunar and planetary landers for human exploration missions

    Article • March 1992, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  85. Logistics impacts on lunar and Mars lander design

    Article • November 1991, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  86. Nuclear thermal propulsion vehicle design for the Mars flyby with surface exploration mission

    Article • June 1991, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  87. Technology needs for lunar and Mars space transfer systems

    Article • June 1991, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue

  88. Advanced propulsion options for human exploration of Mars

    Article • September 1990, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

    Mr. Benjamin Donahue