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As a member of the Mars Architecture Team, Clare Luckey is one of the people at the forefront of designing the first crewed mission to the Red Planet. Her current work involves helping to develop the vision for the initial segment of Mars exploration missions. She also has been named one of Forbes\u2019 30 under 30 Class of 2024 in the Science category. Her commitment extends beyond the cosmos as she is deeply involved in community outreach, inspiring students to aim for the stars in space careers and encouraging diversity in STEM.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starting her journey as an intern at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center Operations in fall 2018, Luckey\u2019s career trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. She began her career as a contractor at Barrios Technology, focusing on cargo integration for the International Space Station Program, then transitioned to a civil servant position in Center Operations by late 2020. Currently serving in the Exploration Mission Planning Office, Luckey\u2019s role is critical not just in Mars exploration but also in the Artemis missions, where she contributes to Lunar Mission Planning in the Mission Analysis and Integrated Assessments team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luckey\u2019s innovative thinking is especially crucial as she navigates the complexities of planning travel to Mars. Her ability to compare and adapt strategies from near-term missions like Artemis to the long-term objectives of Mars colonization highlights her unique insight and adaptability. \u201cMars missions are more open to change because they are far in the future,\u201d said Luckey. \u201cWe are still in the process of figuring out not only how to make decisions, but what decisions to make.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her influence extends far beyond engineering. Luckey\u2019s engagement with global space leaders at the Space Symposium and her contributions as a panelist at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Science and Technology Forum exemplify her as a thought leader in aerospace. She also participated in the Space Generation Advisory Council, a board that advises the United Nations on next-generation space exploration concepts. \u201cAll of these opportunities have given me different insights into the larger space industry and space economy,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reflecting on her journey, Luckey attributes her passion for space exploration to a middle school project, \u201cFuture Cities,\u201d where she and her friends designed a futuristic Mars city. The project ignited her imagination and inspired her to think critically and creatively about the future. \u201cIt\u2019s important to build the foundations of mathematics and science at a young age,\u201d she said. \u201cI am really passionate about getting other people who look like me involved in the space industry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luckey\u2019s involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers and her efforts to mentor and help students with school projects gives her great joy. \u201cNASA can invest in the next generation by building a sustainable pipeline alongside sustainable space architecture,\u201d she said. \u201cYou have to invest in communities and education so that kids grow up participating in a culmination of activities that make them want to be a part of NASA.\u201d She believes that persistence, passion, and creativity are the top qualities for someone to excel in the space exploration industry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
As a vocal advocate for diversity in the space industry, Luckey emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship within NASA and beyond. \u201cI try to reach out to people and build that community because it is important,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the things that keeps people coming to work \u2013 no matter where you work. It\u2019s not the work, it\u2019s the people that keep you coming back. I work with a lot of great people that have built that NASA community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luckey\u2019s advice to aspiring space explorers is, \u201cJust try. Even when you don\u2019t think you\u2019re capable or don\u2019t think you know enough, you will learn as you go.\u201d She also encourages students to search out opportunities and get involved at a young age. \u201cThere\u2019s no wrong answer. Just do what you\u2019re interested in, put effort into it, and you\u2019ll end up where you want to go,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her favorite part about working at NASA is the outlandishness of it all, she said. \u201cPeople at NASA are really trying to build the future. The work we do here is amazing and not to be overlooked.\u201d She is looking forward to the Artemis missions because this time is a completely new paradigm. \u201cWith Artemis, we\u2019re going to the Moon to stay and to build sustainable architecture,\u201d said Luckey. \u201cWe\u2019re going to push forward. I am really excited to see how it turns out, and the international collaboration will be amazing for us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her enthusiasm for the Artemis campaign and the future of international space collaboration shines through her work, envisioning a new era of lunar exploration and beyond. \u201cI am grateful to be here,\u201d she said. \u201cThe most important thing to me is to be humble and personable. I want to be someone that is approachable, helpful, and easy to learn from so that I can be a mentor to the next generation of students, in the same way that I had mentors.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n