A5022255115- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Space exploration and regulation
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Landslides and related hazards
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Marine and environmental studies
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Applications and Techniques
Western University
2016-2025
Planetary Science Institute
2016-2025
Western Caspian University
2024
Curtin University
2023
University of Arizona
2006-2021
Florida Institute of Technology
2013-2016
Goddard Space Flight Center
2012-2014
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
2009-2013
Lunar and Planetary Institute
2006
University of British Columbia
2002
In this article, we summarize the work of NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Roadmaps to Ocean Worlds (ROW) group. The aim group is assemble scientific framework that will guide exploration ocean worlds, and identify prioritize science objectives for worlds over next several decades. overarching goal an program as defined by ROW "identify characterize their oceans, evaluate habitability, search life, ultimately understand any life find." team supports creation studies full spectrum...
Abstract NASA’s Dragonfly mission will send a rotorcraft lander to the surface of Titan in mid-2030s. Dragonfly's science themes include investigation Titan’s prebiotic chemistry, habitability, and potential chemical biosignatures from both water-based “life as we know it” (as might occur interior mantle ocean, cryovolcanic flows, and/or impact melt deposits) “life, but not that use liquid hydrocarbons solvent (within lakes, seas, aquifers). Consideration these solvents simultaneously led...
We present new polarimetric radar data for the surface of north pole Moon acquired with Mini‐SAR experiment onboard India's Chandrayaan‐1 spacecraft. Between mid‐February and mid‐April, 2009, mapped more than 95% areas polewards 80° latitude at a resolution 150 meters. The polar region displays backscatter properties typical Moon, circular polarization ratio (CPR) values in range 0.1–0.3, increasing to over 1.0 young primary impact craters. These higher CPR likely reflect roughness...
Abstract The existence of cryovolcanic features on Titan has been the subject some controversy. Here we use observations from Cassini RADAR, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging, radiometry, and topographic data as well compositional Visible Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) to reexamine several putative in terms likely processes origin (fluvial, cryovolcanic, or other). We present evidence support region formerly known Sotra Facula, which includes deepest pit so far found...
Abstract The factors contributing to the initial selection of a dune site near Selk impact structure on Titan as first landing for Dragonfly mission are described. These include arrival geometry and aerodynamic/aerothermodynamic considerations, illumination, Earth visibility, well likely presence exposed deposits water-rich material, potentially including materials where molten ice has interacted with organics. Cassini observations summarized interpreted: near-infrared reflectance microwave...
Abstract The Miniature Radio Frequency instrument (Mini-RF) on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter obtained widespread synthetic aperture radar observations of Moon in S band (12.6 cm), including nearly complete coverage at both lunar poles. currently archived monostatic data have spatial offsets from reference frame, making them more difficult to compare other sets. To address this issue, we developed a new algorithm for spatially controlling Mini-RF S-band set and orthorectifying these onto...
Titan has an organic-rich atmosphere and surface with a subsurface liquid water ocean that may represent habitable environment. In this work, we determined the amount of organic material can be delivered from Titan's to its through impact cratering. We assumed craters produce melt deposits composed founder in lower-density ice crust estimated molecules could incorporated into these lenses. used known yields for HCN haze hydrolysis determine glycine produced lenses found range possible flux...
The two mini-radio-frequency (mini-RF) radars flown in near-polar lunar orbits (on Chandrayaan-1 and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) were first of their kind, hybrid-polarimetric. This new paradigm transmits circular polarization, receives coherently on orthogonal linear polarizations. resulting data support calculation 2 × covariance matrix backscattered field, from which follow four Stokes parameters. These are basis science products observations, include images that traditional radar...
Titan organic haze analogues, or "tholins," produce biomolecules when hydrolyzed at low temperature over long timescales. By using a combination of high-resolution mass spectroscopy and tandem spectrometry fragmentation techniques, four amino acids were identified in tholin sample that had been 13 wt % ammonia-water solution 253 ± 1 K 293 for year. These species have assigned as the asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid. This represents first detection biologically relevant...
[1] On 9 October 2009 the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) impacted Cabeus crater, located near south pole of Moon. Prior to that impact, Mini-RF instruments on ISRO's Chandrayaan-1 NASA's Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) obtained S band (12.6 cm) synthetic aperture radar images impact site at 150 30 m resolution, respectively. These observations show floor has a circular polarization ratio (CPR) comparable or less than average nearby terrain in southern lunar highlands....
Although diverse measurements have indicated H + , OH − or 2 O species in the lunar polar regions, pinpointing its location, form, and abundance specific reservoirs has proven elusive. Here we report on first orbital radar of Shackleton crater near south pole. Mini‐RF observations indicate a patchy, heterogeneous enhancement CPR (circular polarization ratio) walls whose strength decreases with depth toward floor, result that is most consistent roughness effect due to less mature regolith...
The Mini‐RF radar on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft has revealed a great variety of crater ejecta flow and impact melt deposits, some which were not observed in prior imaging. craters Tycho Glushko have long flows that exhibit variations backscatter circular polarization ratio along flow. Comparison with optical imaging reveals these changes are caused by features commonly seen terrestrial lava flows, such as rafted plates, pressure ridges, ponding. Small (<20 km) sized also...