Our group is involved in a range of NASA and international missions, contributing to instrument development, science planning, and data analysis.

Moon

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)

NASA · Launched 2009 · Ongoing operations · Mission site

Role: Co-Investigator, Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (2011–present)

LRO has been mapping the Moon in unprecedented detail since 2009. Our group uses data from the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment to study thermal properties of the lunar surface, characterize permanently shadowed regions, and map potential water ice deposits at the poles.

Lunar Flashlight

NASA JPL · Launched 2022 · Mission site

Role: Co-Investigator (2012–present)

Lunar Flashlight was a small satellite mission designed to search for surface water ice in permanently shadowed craters using near-infrared lasers.

CLPS CP-21: Lunar-VISE

NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services · Mission site

Role: Co-Investigator and Investigation Lead for LV-CIRiS

The Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) will investigate the Gruithuisen Domes, enigmatic volcanic features on the Moon.

CLPS CP-22: L-CIRiS

NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services · Mission site

Role: Principal Investigator

The Lunar Compact Infrared Imaging System (L-CIRiS) is a thermal camera that will provide high-resolution temperature measurements of the lunar surface.

Lunar Terrain Vehicle Instruments: L-MAPS

NASA Artemis Program · Mission site

Role: Collaborator

The Lunar Mapping and Prospecting System (L-MAPS) is being developed for NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle.

Mars

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)

NASA · Launched 2005 · Ongoing operations · Mission site

Role: Co-Investigator, Mars Climate Sounder (2017–present); Affiliate (2007–2016)

MRO carries a suite of instruments that have revolutionized our understanding of Mars. Our research uses thermal infrared data from the Mars Climate Sounder to study atmospheric processes, seasonal frost cycles, and the distribution of CO₂ and water ice across the Martian polar regions.

Asteroids

Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA)

UAE Space Agency · In development · Mission site

Role: Project Scientist

EMA will explore multiple main belt asteroids, providing new insights into the diversity of small bodies in our solar system.

Janus

NASA SIMPLEx Mission · Mission site

Role: Co-Investigator and Science Lead for the IR Camera

Janus was designed to study binary asteroid systems.

Dawn

NASA · 2007–2018 · Mission site

Role: Science Team Affiliate (2016–2018)

Dawn explored the two largest objects in the asteroid belt: Vesta and Ceres.

Outer Solar System

Europa Clipper

NASA · Launched 2024 · En route to Jupiter · Mission site

Role: Co-Investigator, Europa Thermal Emission Imaging System (E-THEMIS)

Europa Clipper will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Jupiter’s moon Europa to investigate whether it could harbor conditions suitable for life.

Mission Science Collection: Space Science Reviews: Europa Clipper

Cassini

NASA/ESA · 1997–2017 · Mission site

Role: Science Team Affiliate (2006–2014)

Cassini spent 13 years exploring the Saturn system. Our research uses Cassini VIMS data to study Titan’s atmosphere and surface composition.

Galileo

NASA · 1989–2003 · Mission site

Role: Student Intern, NIMS

Galileo was the first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter. Our research uses Galileo NIMS data to study Europa’s surface composition.