Town Crier Articles

After a long career in the field, Alan was offered an opportunity at Cornell University at the Center for Radiophysics and Space Research. The Mars Exploration Rovers project (MER) was looking for geophysical expertise to select landing sites for the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity mission (2003). Alan worked with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab to down-select potential sites. The mission was supposed to last 90 days – Opportunity rover continued for 15 years, going silent in 2018.

 

The recent landing of the Perseverance rover was a site that Alan helped progress through the landing rubric. That particular area was eventually shelved because it was judged to be too hazardous for 2001 technology. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed over the last 20 years, Perseverance landed itself! 

Alan, now retired, is a science consultant and member of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) at JPL. Working at his own pace, on a long-term project – site selection for a crewed mission to Mars 2033-35!  He looks at suggestions from around the world, planetary scientists, previous images and rovers. The goal is to find sites where a landing would not only be safe but would provide information to satisfy mission goals. For example, a landing near stratified rock would have the goal of collecting geological samples and search for microbial life while unraveling clues of the planet’s formation. How exciting Alan’s retirement has become!