posted 08-29-2018 06:45 PM               

We're saddened by the loss of lunar geologist Paul Spudis. In studying the Moon, he concluded "it's close, it's interesting and it's useful," believing the Moon to be a natural testing ground for exploration of other planets.

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 harbor significant water ice deposits. Combined with near-constant solar illumination, the poles are thus ideal locales for future permanent human presence. I was the Principal Investigator of the Mini-SAR experiment on the Indian Chandrayaan-1 mission to the Moon, which mapped the Moon from 2008-2009. The Mini-SAR imaging radar mapped the permanently dark regions of the poles and found reflections diagnostic of water ice deposits in permanently shadowed craters. I am a team member of a similar experiment, the Mini-RF, currently orbiting the Moon on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, from 2009 to present. I am currently working on plans for follow-up robotic missions to the surface of the lunar poles to document the extent and variability of water ice there.

posted 10-25-2021 09:53 AM               

Lunar Crater Named After USRA Scientist Paul Spudis

The International Astronomical Union Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature recently approved a crater name — Spudis crater — in honor of Dr. Paul Spudis, a Universities Space Research Association scientist who worked at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) for 22 years (1990-2002, 2008-2018). Spudis crater is located near the Moon's south pole and is 13 kilometers in diameter.

Dr. Lisa Gaddis, USRA Program Director and Director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, noted, "We are very pleased to see this important recognition of Paul's work in lunar and planetary science and exploration, especially as international interest in returning to the Moon's south pole is increasing. Perhaps someday we'll be working in person in Spudis crater as our nation establishes a long-term presence on the Moon."

Paul Spudis was an expert in lunar and terrestrial planetary geology, and throughout his career made fundamental contributions to understanding the geology and mechanics of impact basins and craters, the origin and evolution of the lunar crust, volcanic processes on Earth and other planets, and the genesis of lunar polymict breccias. Paul served as deputy leader of the 1994 Clementine mission science team, led the Mini-SAR radar that flew on India's Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter in 2008, and was a team member of the Mini-RF instrument on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter launched in 2009.

An integral member of the LPI science staff, he contributed his expertise in many areas. He oversaw the LPI summer internship program for almost a decade, was Director of LPI's Regional Planetary Image Facility, and gave numerous lectures and public talks.

A prolific author [e.g., The Once and Future Moon (1994) and The Value of the Moon (2016)] and tireless advocate for a return of humans to the Moon, Paul served on many panels and advisory committees including the 2004 Presidential Commission on the Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy. He received numerous honors and awards, including the Columbia medal from the American Society of Civil Engineers' Aerospace division (2016), the National Space Society's Space Pioneer award (2011), the Theodore von Kármán medal and lectureship from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2006), the NASA Distinguished Public Service medal (2004), and the Aviation Week and Space Technology Laurels award (1994).