Space Mission Analysis Branch

As a premiere space concepts and systems analysis organization, SMAB enables well-informed decision-making throughout NASA with integrated analysis and assessments of complex space systems, architectures, and portfolios based on benefit, cost, and risk. Through support of a broad set of agency customers, SMAB provides holistic insights within and across organizations that advance NASA’s human exploration and robotic scientific missions.

Meet the Team

SMAB Stories

Learn more about the people behind the work at the Space Mission Analysis Branch

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Marie Ivanco, an aerospace engineer and decision science expert, explains how she tackles the challenges of designing new science mission architectures in a way that meets objectives from interested parties around the world. Credits: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon is a landmark goal of NASA’s Moon to Mars missions, and the Gateway outpost is a key part of this sustainable architecture. We talk with Sharon Jefferies about her role in integrating between Gateway and other Artemis programs to accomplish NASA’s goals. Credits: NASA.
As Melvin Ferebee wrapped up his career as the Director for the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate (SACD), Ferebee shared his experiences as a NASA employee and the lessons he has learned along the way.
How do you reach out to younger generations to show them NASA’s visions for the future? Bob Evangelista, a multimedia specialist with the Advanced Concepts Lab, says that sometimes you have to try “something different, something a little daring.”
"It's kind of like building a house for a place no one has ever lived before.” We talk with habitat design lead Matt Simon about how he works to address the challenges of designing habitats built to travel across deep space. Credits: NASA/Advanced Concepts Laboratory.
What’s the right orbit for a satellite to provide the best science possible? We talk with SMAB engineer Vianni Ricano Cadenas about her work aiding the NASA Earth Science Division. Credits: NASA Jet Propulsion Lab.
Space exploration is a cooperative venture across humanity. We discuss how that cooperation is achieved with SMAB engineer Kandyce Goodliff. Source: ISECG.
“We know we want to get people [to the Moon and to Mars], we know when we want to get there, so what are the parts in between?” We talk with Strategic Analysis team lead Andrew McCrea about how he turns complex questions like this into potential solutions. Credits: NASA.
"Ever since I realized I wanted to do science communication, I realized I wanted to do it at NASA.” We talk with Audra Davidson, a former communications intern in the Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate, about her passion for sharing science with the public.
Space scientists come up with many new mission ideas, so how does NASA decide which missions are technically feasible? That’s where people like SMAB analyst Katie McBrayer come in.
“Imagine what life would look like if we didn’t have gas stations.” We talk with SMAB engineer Daniel Tiffin about his efforts to replicate the function of a gas station in orbit, with the goal of allowing us to refuel Artemis spacecraft for deep-space exploration.
How do you pack for a trip to space? Nicole Piontek, a former intern of SMAB, talks about her work in supportability analysis and how she works to find the “the perfect balance between mass, and spares, and risk.” Credits: NASA/Advanced Concepts Laboratory.
Several United States government agencies utilize space to achieve their organizational goals, but how do these different organizations achieve mutual cooperation in space? We discuss this and more with SMAB analyst Gregory Benjamin. Credits: NASA.
How does NASA ensure that it’s making the most out of its resources? We talk to SMAB engineer and Assistant Branch Head Jordan Klovstad about his work in cost analysis. Credits: NASA/Advanced Concepts Laboratory.
When spacecraft capabilities fail, who investigates how to keep the mission producing as much science as possible? We talk with SMAB analyst Josh Carden about how he tackles these challenges. Credits: NASA Jet Propulsion Lab.
How could we use resources found in space to expand exploration? One method for enabling Moon to Mars missions that former SMAB analyst Alejandro Pensado considered was using lunar resources to create propellant.
What does it take to send astronauts to and from Mars? We discuss the challenges of designing a crewed Mars mission with SMAB engineer Patrick Chai, the lead of NASA Langley Research Center’s Mars Architecture Team. Credits: NASA/Advanced Concepts Laboratory.

SMAB Projects

SMAB’s projects include pre-formulation concepts, integrated systems analysis, and support for past and present missions. Learn more about the work we do by visiting our project pages.

Learn about Our Projects

Branch Core Capabilities

Space Concepts, Analysis, & Assessments

Campaigns

We evaluate integrated sequences of missions over extended periods of time against technical and programmatic objectives.

We generate comprehensive risk assessments on space system supportability and affordability.

Integrated Architectures

We develop integrated architectures that blend system and mission concepts to achieve long-term exploration, science, and technology development goals.

Missions

We design and assess end-to-end space missions using in-house and commercial off-the-shelf tools.

We provide high fidelity mission simulation and visualization for space missions to enable detailed technical analysis and public engagement.

Vehicles

We support in-depth, multi-discipline design and analysis of concepts and vehicles from pre-formulation through operations.

Decision Analysis

We apply decision analysis methods to inform NASA decision makers for activities such as portfolio characterization and prioritization, trade space exploration and down-selection of design options, and cost-benefit analysis.

We develop independent decision models to enable traceable data-driven decisions.

Strategic Analysis

We facilitate the advancement of organizational strategy through the development and execution of strategic frameworks.

We provide independent technical and programmatic assessments of space technology and system concepts.

Technology Assessment and Gap Analysis

We model and assess the impacts of technologies on space systems, missions, and architectures.

We characterize technology and capability needs on a system and architectural level to inform portfolio formulation and prioritization.

SMAB

Space Mission Analysis Branch

SMAB Stories

SMAB Projects