DOCSLIB.ORG

Debra Hurwitz Needham

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Debra Hurwitz Needham Debra Hurwitz Needham Curriculum Vitae Contact: Planetary Science, ST-13 [email protected] Marshall Space Flight Center 256-961-7503 320 Sparkman Dr. Huntsville, AL, 35805 https://planetary.msfc.nasa.gov/Debra.htm Employment: Scientist: 2016-present Research Scientist and Exploration Science SME, Huntsville, AL Postdoc: 2015-2016 NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at NASA Goddard, Greenbelt, MD Postdoc: 2012-2015 Postdoctoral Fellow at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, TX Education: Ph.D.: 2012 Geological Sciences Brown University, Providence, RI Sc.M.: 2009 Geological Sciences Brown University, Providence, RI B.A.: 2007 Geology Pomona College, Claremont, CA Research Experience: NASA Research Space Scientist and Exploration Science Subject Matter Expert: Marshall Space Flight Center, September 2016-present. Summary: I am investigating surface processes on planetary surfaces, including lava flow emplacement dynamics and regolith development and evolution. Additionally, I serve on a team of engineers tasked with recruiting and integrating scientific payloads onto the SLS. I am also continuing my involvement in assessing, developing, and integrating scientific operations into future human exploration missions. NASA Post-Doctoral Fellow: Goddard Space Flight Center, with Dr. Jacob Bleacher, April 2015- August 2016. Summary: I investigated how surface characteristics such as surface cohesion and substrate textures affect lava flow direction and erosion potential. I also collaborated in investigations of contamination of lava flows by assimilating substrate material. Additionally, I continued my involvement in assessing and developing mission operations for future human exploration missions. Post-Doctoral Fellow: Lunar and Planetary Institute, with Dr. David Kring, 2012-March 2015. Summary: I investigated the solidification of the lunar South Pole – Aitken basin impact melt sheet using a petrological model in order to determine if differentiation of the melt sheet could generate materials with the unique signatures observed within the basin interior. I also identified locations where SPA impact melt might be currently exposed on the lunar farside, and determined the geologic source for boulders sampled during the Apollo 17 mission to the Taurus Littrow Valley on the lunar nearside. Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS) Participant: Mission Control Center, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, with Dr. Dean Eppler, August – September, 2011. Summary: I served as “GeoSamples Lead” and “SciCom” in support of field operations conducted north of Flagstaff, AZ, simulating an actual human exploration mission to an asteroid. PhD dissertation: Brown University, with Dr. Jim Head, August 2007 – 2012. 1 Summary: Preparation of my dissertation, focusing on the origin of lava channels on the terrestrial planets with an emphasis on distinguishing between mechanical and thermal erosion processes using analytical models. Research Assistant: Investigating magma reservoir failure beneath an edifice, Pomona College, Claremont, CA, with Dr. Eric Grosfils, summer 2007. Summary: This work served as my undergraduate senior thesis and has been published in a manuscript entitled “The characteristics of magma reservoir failure beneath a volcanic edifice,” with an application to Venusian volcanism. Research Assistant: Determining tectonic trends in the Ganiki Planitia (V-14) Quadrant of Venus, Pomona College, Claremont, CA, with Dr. Eric Grosfils, 2004-2005 academic year. Summary: I conducted quantitative analyses of tectonic structures mapped in the V-14 quadrangle using ArcMap to determine whether a regional or a local stress state influenced the deformation of this region. Results were presented at LPSC in 2005. Research Assistant: Mapping the Ganiki Planitia (V14) Quadrant of Venus, Pomona College, Claremont, CA, with Dr. Eric Grosfils, 2003-2004 academic year. Summary: I assisted with the finalization and publication of a geologic map of the V- 14 quadrangle of Venus. Field Experience: Field Geologist: Field investigations of the 1783-84 Laki lava flow and 2014-15 Holuhraun lava flow, Iceland, with Dr. Christopher Hamilton, July-August 2016. Summary: During this 4-week field campaign, I collected field measurements of lava pond heights within the Laki lava flow (1783/84) and LIDAR laser-ranging data sets of the Holuhraun lava flow (2014/15), the most recent sub-aerial eruption on the Mid- Atlantic Ridge. These data will be used to deduce lava flow emplacement dynamics and eruption/flow morphology relationships both on Earth and on other planetary surfaces. Field Geologist: Field investigations of the December 1974 Kilauea lava flow, Hawaii, with Dr. Jacob Bleacher, 2016. Summary: I analyzed lava flow morphologies and lava channel/pond dimensions to gain insight into the emplacement dynamics and eruption-flow morphology relationships of this 6 hour eruption. Field Geologist: Member of an “astronaut” crew simulating a mission to another planetary surface, December 1974 flow, Hawaii, with Dr. Jacob Bleacher and Dr. Kelsey Young, June, 2015. Summary: I acted as a member of a 3-person crew investigating lava flow textures and the local geology in Hawaii’s Dec. 1974 flow to analyze the efficiency and efficacy of using handheld geochemistry instruments during an EVA on another planetary surface. Field Geologist: Geologic mapping of the San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF) north of Flagstaff, AZ, with Dr. Dean Eppler, June and November, 2013. Summary: I assisted three field geologists and two other field assistants in geologically mapping a portion of the SFVF near SP Crater, north of Flagstaff, AZ. Our goals were to generate a geologic map of the area and to compare our product with an independently-derived map based on the Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS) 2010 simulated lunar exploration mission. Field Course Participant: Geologic mapping of Kleinwalsertal in the northernmost Alps, with Dr. Harold Hiesinger, July, 2010. 2 Summary: I mapped a portion of a sequence of sedimentary rocks in the German/Austrian Alps as a part of a field course through the University of Münster, Germany. NASA Planetary Volcanology Field Workshop Participant: Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, with Dr. Scott Rowland, summer 2008. Summary: I spent one week observing and mapping lava flows, comparing the map I compiled in the field with one I compiled earlier from remotely sensed data in order to develop a better understanding of how field observations relate to remote observations. Teaching Experience: Guest Instructor: University of Alabama, Huntsville, Space Weathering Course, April 12, 2018. Summary: I presented “Space Weathering and the Planets” to this graduate level course, introducing students to how space weathering affects the surfaces of different planetary bodies in the Solar System. Guest Instructor: University of Alabama Huntsville, Planets, Exoplanets, and our Solar System, Honors Course, 09/08/2017 Summary: I introduced “Venus, Our Sister Planet” to this graduate level honors course, as a specialty topic in their tour of the Solar System. Mentor: Lunar and Planetary Institute High School Exchange Program, with Hélène Greenwood, a ~sophomore student at an Oxford, UK high school, June 24-27, 2013. Summary: I guided Hélène for a week long exchange program during which she was introduced to work responsibilities for a NASA research scientist. Hélène identified, downloaded, and processed Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Narrow Angle Camera images, searching for possible landing sites in a designated area on the lunar farside. Mentor: NASA Lunar Science Institute High School Competition, Langham Creek High School (two teams), with Deborah Fritz, fall 2012 – spring 2013. Summary: I assisted two teams of high school students to formulate questions and hypotheses relevant to current lunar research and to make observations and interpretations of lunar data sets that addressed each question. Students presented their results in posters to a panel of NASA scientists in April, 2013. Guest Instructor: 2nd grade, Herod Elementary School, Houston, TX, with Mr. Tesch, spring, 2013. Summary: I developed activities that helped students visualize the relative sizes and distance between the Earth and Moon and that guided students through the scientific process to demonstrate the effects of an atmosphere on falling objects. Guest Instructor: 2nd grade science class, Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, Providence, RI, with Ms. Honeyman, fall 2010. Summary: I used demonstrations to introduce advanced concepts (convection) at a level accessible to second graders. Teaching Assistant: Mars, Moon, and the Earth: Introduction to Planetary Geology, Brown University, Providence, RI, with Dr. Jim Head, fall 2008. Summary: I introduced and led laboratory sessions where students looked at microscopic thin sections of Apollo lunar samples and analyzed three-dimensional images of Mars in a virtual reality center. Teaching Assistant: Introduction to Planetary Geology, Planetary Geology, Pomona College, Claremont, CA, with Dr. Eric Grosfils, fall 2006. 3 Summary: I assisted with laboratory exercises and led review sessions for students. Teaching Assistant: Introduction to Geology, Geohazards, Pomona College, Claremont, CA, with Dr. Linda Reinen, spring 2006. Summary: I assisted with laboratory exercises and led review sessions for students. Invited Lectures and Presentations: University of Alabama, Huntsville, lecture to the UAH Honors Course, Planets, Exoplanets, and our Solar System,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Science Organising Committee Local Organising Committee Katherine Joy (Chair) Romain Tartese Mahesh Anand John Pernet-Fisher
    Science Organising Committee Local Organising Committee Katherine Joy (Chair) Romain Tartese (Chair) Romain Tartese Katherine Joy Mahesh Anand Patricia Clay John Pernet-Fisher Samantha Bell Kerri Donaldson-Hanna Vera Fernandes Evelyn Furi John Pernet-Fisher Jessica Flahaut Sarah Crowther Greg Schmitt Gemma Coleman James Carpenter Updated: 27 March 2019 European Lunar Symposium Manchester 2019 Meeting information Welcome you to Manchester for the 7th European Lunar Symposium (ELS). We are hoping to have a great meeting, demonstrating the diversity of the current lunar research in Europe and elsewhere, and continuing to provide a platform to the European lunar researchers for networking as well as exchanging news ideas and latest results in the field of lunar exploration. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the University of Manchester, NASA SSERVI, the Royal Astronomical Society, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Europlanet, and the European Space Agency. Our special thanks to our SSERVI colleagues Kristina Gibbs, Jennifer Baer, Maria Leus, and Ashcon Nejad, and to Gemma Coleman at the University of Manchester for their contribution to the meeting preparation and program implementation. Members of the Science Organising Committee are thanked for their input in putting together an exciting program and for volunteering to chair various sessions in this meeting. Meeting Venue Please note that there are two different venues: • The reception event on the 20 th May will be held at the Manchester Museum in the south of the city, close to the University of Manchester. • The symposium on 21 st -23 rd May will be held at the Science and Industry Museum – Garratt suite conference facilities.
    [Show full text]
  • LAURA KERBER Jet Propulsion Laboratory [email protected] 4800 Oak Grove Dr
    LAURA KERBER Jet Propulsion Laboratory [email protected] 4800 Oak Grove Dr. Pasadena, CA __________________________________________________________________________________________ Education September 2006-May 2011 Brown University, Providence, RI PhD, Geological Sciences (May 2011) MS, Engineering, Fluid Mechanics (May 2011) MS, Geological Sciences (May 2008) August 2002-May 2006 Pomona College, Claremont, CA Major: Planetary Geology/Space Science Minor: Mathematics May 2002 Graduated Cherry Creek High School, Greenwood Village, Colorado, highest honors Research Experience and Roles September 2014- Present Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Research Scientist PI of Discovery Mission Concept Moon Diver Deputy Project Scientist, 2001 Mars Odyssey Yardang formation and distribution on Mars and Earth Ongoing development of end-to-end Martian sulfur cycle model, including microphysical processes, photochemistry, and interaction with the surface Measurement of wind over complex surfaces Microscale wind and erosion processes in cold polar deserts Science liaison to the Mars Program Office, Next Mars Orbiter (NeMO) Member of 2015 NeMO SAG Member of 2015 ICE-WG (In-situ resource utilization and civil engineering HEOMD working group) Science lead on several internal formulation studies, including a “Many MERs to Mars” concept study; “RSL Exploration with the Axel Extreme Terrain Robot” strategic initiative; “Autonomous Recognition of Signs of Life” spontaneous RTD; Moon Diver Instrument Trade Study; etc. Lead of Citizen Scientist “Planet Four:
    [Show full text]
  • Advanced Developmental Architectures for Our Moon Ma
    70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Washington D.C., United States, 21-25 October 2019. Copyright ©2019 by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). All rights reserved. IAC-19,A3,IP,7,x52520 The USC ADAM Project: Advanced Developmental Architectures for Our Moon Madhu Thangavelua*, Duy Nguyenb, Ivan Figueroac, Danielle Watersd Martin Grecoe, Caitlyn Alexanderf, Zachery Batesg, Jeffrey Asherh, Alexander Sullivani, Robert Antypasj a Conductor, ASTE527 Graduate Space Concept Synthesis Studio, Department of Astronautical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, Rapp Research Building, & the School of Architecture, University of Southern California, University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089-1191. [email protected] b-j Graduate Student, Department of Astronautical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Rapp Research Building, University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089-1191. * Corresponding Author "Lead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring back to Earth new knowledge and opportunities. Beginning with missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations;". – White House Space Policy Directive #1 Abstract The US administration has laid out, in the clearest terms yet in many years, what the nation expects NASA to
    [Show full text]
  • The Geologic Context of Major Lunar Mare Pits. L
    3rd International Planetary Caves 2020 (LPI Contrib. No. 2197) 1048.pdf THE GEOLOGIC CONTEXT OF MAJOR LUNAR MARE PITS. L. Kerber1 L. M. Jozwiak2, J. Whitten3, R.V. Wagner4, B.W. Denevi2, , The Moon Diver Team. 1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA, 91109 ([email protected]). 2Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, 20723, 3Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, 4Arizona State Univeristy, Tempe, AZ, 85287. Introduction: In 2009, the Kaguya spacecraft dis- surface void [3]. The pit is located a few kilometers to covered several large pits in the lunar surface [1]. Later the west of the Rimae Burg graben, and could be relat- Lunar Reconaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) images ed [7]. Compositionally, the pit is located in a deposit captured these pits in greater detail, revealing that of low- to very low-Ti and high Al2O3 lavas that extend some of them expose tens of meters of in-situ lava bed- from Lacus Mortis across the larger Mare Frigoris re- rock cross-sections in their walls [2,3]. Such exposures gion [8]. The Lacus Mortis region itself is a small, offer tantalizing natural drill-holes through the regolith semi-circular mare deposit to the south of Mare Frigor- and into the lunar maria. In particular, the pits provide is, and appears to be composed of a single basaltic unit the opportunity to examine maria deposits from the top [8]. The Lacus Mortis pit would provide access to 5-6 of the regolith, through the regolith/bedrock interface, layers of undersampled Al-rich lavas [8].
    [Show full text]
  • Catherine M. Elder
    CATHERINE M. ELDER Jet Propulsion Laboratory M/S 183-301, 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91109 (818) 354-9381 [email protected] EDUCATION 2015 Ph.D. Planetary Sciences (Minor in Geosciences) University of Arizona Dissertation Title: The Effects of Melt on Impact Craters on Icy Satel- lites and on the Dynamics of Io's Interior 2008 B.A. Astronomy Cornell University RESEARCH EXPERIENCE 2018{Present Research Scientist Planetary Interiors and Geophysics Group Jet Propulsion Laboratory 2015{2018 Postdoctoral Scholar Geophysics & Planetary Geosciences Group Jet Propulsion Laboratory 2009{2015 Graduate Research Associate Department of Planetary Sciences/Lunar and Planetary Laboratory University of Arizona Summer Student Undergraduate Internship in Astrobiology (SUIA) 2006 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 2005{2008 Undergraduate Research Assistant Department of Astronomy Cornell University MISSION EXPERIENCE Europa Clipper • Investigation Scientist for the Europa Imaging System (EIS) (2019{Present) • Science liason between the EIS investigation and the project. C. M. Elder { C. V. 1 of 11 Last updated: October 2019 Moon Diver (NASA Discovery proposal) • Co-I and Context Camera Science Lead (2018{Present) • Assisted in the development of the science traceability matrix, acted as a local science resource to the JPL engineering team, participated in the costing of the context cameras, and contributed to preliminary landing site safety assessment. NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner Lunar Radiometer Ex- periment • Co-I (2018{Present) • Postdoc (2015{2018) • Target and analyze nighttime temperature observations to derive thermophysical properties and better understand the material properties of the lunar surface. NASA Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Re- golith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) • Participating Scientist (2017{Present) • Member of the Thermal Analysis and Regolith Development Working Groups.
    [Show full text]
  • Rethinking Lunar Mare Basalt Regolith Formation: 4 New Concepts of Lava Flow Protolith 5 and 6 Evolution of Regolith Thickness and Internal Structure 7 8 James W
    1 1 2 3 Rethinking Lunar Mare Basalt Regolith Formation: 4 New Concepts of Lava Flow Protolith 5 and 6 Evolution of Regolith Thickness and Internal Structure 7 8 James W. Head1 and Lionel Wilson2,1 9 10 1Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Science, 11 Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912 USA. 12 13 2Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK 14 15 Submitted to Geophysical Research Letters 16 #2020GL088334 17 April 9, 2020 18 Revised September 21, 2020 19 20 21 Abstract: Lunar mare regolith is traditionally thought to have formed by impact bombardment 22 of newly emplaced coherent solidified basaltic lava. We use new models for initial 23 emplacement of basalt magma to predict and map out thicknesses, surface topographies and 24 internal structures of the fresh lava flows and pyroclastic deposits that form the lunar mare 25 regolith parent rock, or protolith. The range of basaltic eruption types produce widely varying 26 initial conditions for regolith protolith, including 1) “auto-regolith”, a fragmental meters-thick 27 surface deposit that forms upon eruption and mimics impact-generated regolith in physical 28 properties, 2) lava flows with significant near-surface vesicularity and macro-porosity, 3) 29 magmatic foams, and 4) dense, vesicle-poor flows. Each protolith has important implications for 30 the subsequent growth, maturation and regional variability of regolith deposits, suggesting 31 wide spatial variations in the properties and thickness of regolith of similar age. Regolith may 32 thus provide key insights into mare basalt protolith and its mode of emplacement. 33 34 Plain Language Summary: Following recent studies of how lava eruptions are emplaced on the 35 lunar surface, we show that solid basalt is only one of a wide range of starting conditions in the 36 process of forming lunar soil (regolith).
    [Show full text]
  • Lunar & Planetary Laboratory Conference 2019 (ENR2) 08:00
    Lunar & Planetary Laboratory Conference 2019 (ENR2) 08:00 Breakfast 08:30 Session 1 Field Studies of Terrestrial Analogs to Buried Martian Glaciers - Debris-covered glaciers are found on Earth & Mars. Ground-based data acquired in Alaska complements remote measurements to characterize links between surface 08:30 Tyler Meng morphology, englacial structure & climate evolution. ♂⊕ Moon Diver and the Orange Mountain Basalt - Moon Diver is a proposed Discovery mission that will enter a lunar pit. Amanda 08:38 The Orange Mountain Basalt is a flood basalt from the breakup of Pangaea. How do they relate? Stadermann ☶ Telescope to Laboratory Studies of Near-Sun Objects - We describe a new high temperature vacuum heating experiment, designed to replicate the pressures and temperatures experienced by near-sun small bodies for comparison 08:46 Teddy Kareta with telescopic observations. ☉ What’s heating Saturn’s thermosphere? Cassini Grand Finale observations show connection between circulation and heating - We created a 2D map of Saturn’s thermospheric temperature and density. I describe the horizontal winds we 08:54 Zarah Brown infer from this data and how atmospheric dynamics may help resolve Saturn’s energy crisis. ☊W ☴♄ Dehydration and recrystallization experiments of serpentine for understanding thermal history of hydrated asteroids - To constrain the temperature and duration of thermal metamorphism on hydrated asteroids, we conducted heating 09:02 Kana Ishimaru experiments of serpentine. Our results could estimate thermal histories of Ryugu and Bennu. W Rotational modulation of a rare planetary-mass companion in L-T Transition - I will present a new HST observation 09:10 Ben Lew result of the rotational modulation of a rare planetary-mass companion in L/T Transition.
    [Show full text]
  • IPPW-2019 Brochure For-Website July03.Pdf
    The IOC wishes to draw to your attention that live streaming or recording of any part of the Workshop and/or Short Course is expressly forbidden. 1 IPPW-2019 Sponsors The IPPW-2019 Committees would like to thank the sponsors for their generosity and enthusiasm for this ever-popular and important community event. We also thank the Georgia Tech Department School of Aerospace Engineering for their support of the IPPW Student programme. 2 IPPW-2019 Welcome Welcome to Oxford and the 16th meeting of the International Planetary Probe Workshop, hosted by Oxford University. Although Oxford stories abound, one statistic is particularly appropriate for IPPW: teaching has existed at Oxford for almost 1,000 years. By your participation in this year’s Workshop and Short Course, you will be continuing the education tradition in Oxford! Attending IPPW 2019 is an outstanding group of international scientists, engineers, technologists, mission designers, and policy makers. We are pleased to be hosting IPPW 2019 in the United Kingdom, for the first time in our 16-year history. We encourage you to not only learn through your attendance at the workshop but also take the time to view the historic sites of the city. Space- related sites not to miss include Edmond Halley’s house and the site of Robert Boyle’s laboratory. IPPW 2019 offers a varied program, as you have already seen from our agenda, along with ample opportunities for networking. We received an overwhelming number of abstracts this year. The Program Organizing Committee worked extremely hard to select the best and most appropriate oral and poster abstracts contributing to the exciting program you will encounter in the next five days.
    [Show full text]
  • Season 2, Ep. 9 Walking on the Moon Pt. 2 FINAL.Pdf
    AirSpace Season 2, Episode 9 Walking on the Moon Part 2 Nick: Hi and welcome to AirSpace. This is part two of our special Apollo At 50 series. Emily: In our last episode we talked about the science that astronauts, Nick Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin conducted on the moon. This episode, we want to talk about the lunar science Apollo astronauts enabled back on Earth. Nick: With 842 pounds of moon rocks transported back to Earth, we've had a lot to study over the last 50 years. Matt: And only some of those rocks were studied back 50 years ago. NASA scientists made a plan to keep a large portion of the lunar samples sealed off and totally pristine for the last 50 years until now. Nick: Today, we'll hear from space scientists who are unsealing those samples for the first time this summer. Emily: The most exciting thing to me is that we can look at these samples with techniques that weren't even developed or even maybe thought of when the Apollo samples first came back to the Earth. Matt: And we'll talk with one lunar geologist who was working on a proposal to go back to the moon with a rover. It could dive deeper into lunar mysteries than ever before. Emily: Usually when we're studying these materials, we can use satellite data but that's only showing us the top microns to upper meter or so of the surface. With this we're really peering in. This hole is a hundred meters deep.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Technology Highlights Jet Propulsion Laboratory Office of the Jpl Director
    2018 TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS JET PROPULSION LABORATORY OFFICE OF THE JPL DIRECTOR JPL serves the nation by exploring space and uncovered even more earth-like autonomously maintain a prescribed in the pursuit of discoveries that benefit planets in our own Milky Way galaxy. formation even while orbiting another humanity, and we remain proud of All of these exciting discoveries have world and reconfigure themselves our mission as NASA’s leading center been enabled by the creative talent as needed to optimize scientific return. for robotic exploration. Our spacecraft of JPLers, and their ability to conceive, Others are exploring how the latest have a rich history of helping humankind develop, and operate innovative and techniques in additive manufacturing expand its frontiers of knowledge, and we challenging missions. can be used to fabricate multifunctional continue to work passionately to broaden This creativity dates to our structures and novel graded and those successes. During this past year first mission in 1958, when Explorer 1 microstructure alloys to revolutionize alone we have renewed investigations of became the first satellite to be the way we design and build spacecraft. how mass is redistributed among Earth’s successfully launched by the United In an interesting mix of the old and the atmosphere, oceans, land and ice sheets; States. Since that milestone event, new, other JPLers envision building probed the rings and atmosphere of we have continued to develop and origami-folded structures that precisely Saturn with Cassini’s spectacular finale; use technology to pursue our mission unfurl as finely structured starshades in innovative ways, ranging from using that exquisitely block the light from superconducting THz detectors to distant stars in the search for dim probe the early universe, and ultra-low exoplanets circling them.
    [Show full text]
  • Design and Test of an Electromechanical Rover Tether for the Exploration of Vertical Lunar Pits
    Design and Test of an Electromechanical Rover Tether for the Exploration of Vertical Lunar Pits Patrick McGarey, Tien Nguyen, Torkom Pailevanian, Issa Nensas Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 4800 Oak Grove Dr. Pasadena, CA 91103 fi[email protected] Abstract—Moon Diver is a proposed mission to land and deploy an extreme-terrain, tethered rover for the exploration of Tran- quillitatis Pit, a large vertical cave entrance into the subsurface of Earth’s Moon. By leveraging a supportive tether, the Axel rover, developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, would perform a controlled descent into the pit and deploy instruments along the pit wall. The purpose of this mission concept is to study a volcanic secondary crust as a function of depth in order to determine formation processes and chemical makeup. The lifeline of the mission would be the tether, which provides power from, and communication to the top-side lander. Critically, the tether also serves as mechanical support between the suspended rover and the lander, which acts as an anchor. While space tethers have been deployed both in orbit and terrestrially, the use of the proposed tether is unlike any known in the litera- ture; the tether must come into contact with the terrain while under load. With respect to the environment, the tether must also survive abrasion from glassy regolith and volcanic rocks, bending around sharp edges, thermal extremes, and exposure to full spectrum ultra-violet (UV) radiation, all while reliably transferring up to 100 W of power and 1 Mbps of data. Fur- Figure 1: The Axel rover is shown during a field test thermore, since the Axel rover pays out tether from an internal supported by a custom, electromechanical tether.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of the Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers (Nextgen) Group in Lunar Science and Exploration
    Bulletin of the AAS • Vol. 53, Issue 2 The Role of the Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers (NextGen) Group in Lunar Science and Exploration Ryan N. Watkins1, Lillian R. Ostrach2, Sarah N. Valencia3, Amanda Stadermann4, Lora Bleacher5, Noah E. Petro5, Tess Caswell6, Amy Fagan7, Erica Jawin8, Heather Meyer9, Deanna Phillips10, Hannah O'Brien11, Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers Group 1Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Federal/NASA Headquarters, 2U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, 3NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Maryland College Park, 4University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, 5NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 6NASA Johnson Space Center, 7Western Carolina University, 8Brown University, 9Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 10University of Alabama Huntsville, 11University of Notre Dame Published on: Mar 02, 2021 License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0) The Role of the Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers (NextGen) Group in Lunar Science and Bulletin of the AAS • Vol. 53, Issue 2 Exploration ABSTRACT Founded in 2008, the Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers (NextGen) is a group of students and early career professionals who have a vision and passion for lunar science and exploration. NextGen organizes professional development opportunities through workshops and networking events that are designed to provide resources and training for scientists and engineers so that they are prepared to lead international lunar science and exploration programs. NextGen also provides a network of professional support and opportunities for the younger generation to lead in the field and to learn from more experienced generations of lunar scientists and engineers.
    [Show full text]