Dynamic Response of the Environments at Asteroids, the Moon, and moons of Mars

Rosemary Killen

1. What is your role on the DREAM2 team?

Exospheres group leader

2. What about DREAM2 do you find most interesting? Most challenging?

The most interesting and rewarding part of the DREAM2 team is the interaction that it fosters among group members.

3. Were you a part of the original DREAM team, funded through the NASA Lunar Science Institute? If so, what was your favorite science result?

The results from the LCROSS impact during DREAM illustrate how we are able to work as an integrated team across the disciplines including the mission team, the ground-based observers and the modelers.

Results during DREAM2 from our team modeling the lunar exosphere using theory and LADEE results are also an example of cross-discipline cooperation that a team effort fosters.

4. What other NASA programs or missions have you participated in?

I am a Participating Scientist on the MESSENGER Mission to Mercury and am a CoI on a Mission of Opportunity instrument on BepiColombo.

5. What kind/level of education do you have?

PhD in Space Physics and Astronomy

6. What advice do you have for students who want to work for NASA or on NASA-related research?

The best background for a scientist is physics and mathematics. With that you can branch out to any particular discipline. Without it you most probably cannot.

7. What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

I go to the symphony on occasion. I read a lot of history (mostly on planes). I just finished Undaunted Courage about Merriweather Lewis and The War that Ended Peace by Margaret MacMillan about the causes of the first World War. I highly recommend them both. I keep a book list of recommended books. I keep a garden and I do yoga and pilates.