Dr. Paul D. Spudis

Planetary Geology and Remote Sensing
E-mail: spudis@lpi.usra.edu

My research focuses on the geological history and evolution of the Moon and processes of impact and volcanism that have shaped its surface. I study the Moon largely by remote sensing, whereby composition and physical properties are determined through analysis of data returned by orbiting spacecraft and from Earth-based telescopic sensing. I combine this information with data from photographs and lunar samples obtained by the manned Apollo missions to reconstruct the nature, composition, and history of the Moon. Because impact and volcanism are the principal processes that have shaped the Moon and other terrestrial planets, I study impact craters and lava flows on the Earth as guides for interpreting planetary histories. I was Deputy Leader of the Science Team for the Clementine mission to the Moon, which mapped the Moon's topographic shape and surface color in the visible and near-infrared parts of the spectrum (where information on mineral composition can be extracted).

In recent years, I have become interested in the processes and history of the poles of the Moon, which have a unique environment and may harbor water ice deposits. Combined with near-constant solar illumination, the poles are thus ideal locales for possible permanent human presence. I am the Principal Investigator of the mini-RF experiment on the Indian Chandrayaan-1 mission to the Moon, currently scheduled for launch in the first half of this year (2008). The mini-RF imaging radar will map the permanently dark regions of the poles and search for reflections diagnostic of water ice deposits. I am also a team member of a similar experiment to be flown on the forthcoming Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Spudis Lunar Resources

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Last updated
February 8, 2008