Graduation Photo

John Papoudos


Postgraduate Researcher in Astrodynamics
Electronic Engineering with Space Systems, MEng.

Academic and research departments

Surrey Space Centre.

About

My research project

Publications

Nicola Baresi, Alesia Herasimenka, Wojciech Kalinowski, Ioannis Papoudos, Hamza Eren Gunaltay, Andrea Lucca Fabris, Ismael El Bakouri Ben Siamar, Chiara Pileggi, Andrea Bellome, David Morante Gonzalez (2026)Phase B1 Study of the Volatile Mineralogy Mapping Orbiter

The Lunar Volatile and Mineralogy Mapping Orbiter (VMMO) is a small satellite mission designed to investigate the distribution of water ice and ilmenite deposits near the lunar south pole. This paper summarizes the trajectory design and mission analyses carried out as part of the VMMO Phase B1 study funded by the European Space Agency. Three mission phases are currentlly envisaged, including a low-thrust transfer into a polar 41x200 km altitude lunar frozen orbit, where scientific observations will be carried out, and a newly design disposal strategy that capitalizes on the lumpy gravity field of the Moon.