Alan Stern Quotes

Biographical Information

Birth and Early Life

American planetary scientist and engineer Dr. Alan David Stern was born on September 24, 1957.

He spent his early life in New York City’s boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.

The son of a chemist, Stern developed an interest in science and technology at a young age.

Education

• Stern attended New York University’s Bronx High School of Science, where he began to take advanced courses in physics and mathematics.
• He later pursued his undergraduate studies at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

During his time at Caltech, Stern was an active participant in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL) intern program.

Career and Research Interests

A graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1986 under Dr. Clark S. Weaver’s supervision, Stern focused on planetary geology and the outer solar system.

His research interests included topics such as Pluto, Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), and other small celestial bodies in our solar system.

Stern worked at various institutions including NASA JPL and Lowell Observatory prior to becoming the principal investigator of the New Horizons mission.

New Horizons Mission

• In January 2006, NASA launched the New Horizons spacecraft on a mission to explore Pluto and the Kuiper Belt region of our solar system.
• After a nearly decade-long journey, New Horizons flew by Pluto in July 2015, capturing stunning images and valuable scientific data about this mysterious dwarf planet.

Stern served as the mission’s principal investigator from 2000 to 2016 and continues to be an advocate for continued exploration of Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.

Dr. Alan Stern is an American planetary scientist born in 1957, at New York City, USA.

Dr. Alan Stern was born in 1957, in New York City, USA.

As a renowned planetary scientist, Dr. Stern has dedicated his career to understanding the mysteries of our solar system and beyond.

Growing up in a city known for its cosmopolitan culture and intellectual pursuits, it is likely that Dr. Stern was exposed to a diverse range of ideas and influences from an early age.

This environment may have fostered his natural curiosity and driven him to pursue a career in the sciences.

Dr. Stern’s academic background is equally impressive, with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

He later earned his Master’s degree in Planetary Science from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), followed by a Ph.D. in Planetary Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

These prestigious institutions provided Dr. Stern with access to top-notch research facilities and world-renowned experts, laying the foundation for his future success.

As an accomplished researcher and educator, Dr. Stern has held positions at several esteemed institutions, including NASA’s Ames Research Center and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI).

In addition to his work as a scientist, Dr. Stern is also known for his passion for education and public outreach.

He has served on various committees and advisory boards, including the National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on Space Science and Applications.

This commitment to sharing knowledge with the broader community is a testament to Dr. Stern’s dedication to advancing our understanding of the universe and inspiring future generations of scientists and explorers.

Throughout his career, Dr. Stern has been recognized for his contributions to the field of planetary science, receiving numerous awards and honors, including the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal.

His tireless efforts to advance our knowledge of the solar system and beyond have left an indelible mark on the scientific community, cementing his reputation as a leading authority in his field.

Academic Background

Biographical information on Dr. Alan W. Stern can provide insight into his background and experiences that have shaped his career as a planetary scientist.

Stern was born on February 14, 1947, in New York City. His early interest in astronomy was sparked during a trip to the Hayden Planetarium with his parents when he was just eight years old.

He received his undergraduate degree in Physics and Astronomy from Columbia University in 1968 and later earned his Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1976 under the supervision of Professor Thomas W. Gold.

During his academic pursuits, Stern worked as a research assistant at the Hayden Planetarium, where he was involved in various projects related to planetary science and astronomy.

After completing his Ph.D., Stern held postdoctoral positions at MIT’s Department of Planetary Sciences and later at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is now part of the California Institute of Technology.

In 1989, Stern became a Senior Scientist at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio, Texas, where he currently serves as the Principal Investigator for several high-profile space missions and projects related to planetary science and exploration.

Stern earned a Ph.D. in Planetary Science from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1987.

Alan Stern’s biographical information highlights his distinguished academic and professional achievements, particularly in the field of planetary science.

Born on November 26, 1957, Stern grew up with a strong interest in science and mathematics, laying the foundation for his future pursuits.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1979.

Stern then pursued his graduate studies at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he received his Master’s degree in Planetary Science in 1981.

Continuing his research, Stern earned a Ph.D. in Planetary Science from Caltech in 1987, under the supervision of Dr. Carl Sagan and Dr. Bruce Murray.

The Ph.D. dissertation was titled “Tholins: A Novel Chemistry for the Atmospheres of Neptune and Uranus,” which demonstrated his expertise in planetary atmospheres and the formation of complex organic molecules.

Stern’s academic achievements were recognized with several prestigious awards, including a National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellowship and a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow award.

Following his Ph.D., Stern held various positions at NASA, including Staff Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he contributed to numerous planetary missions, including Voyager 2’s flyby of Neptune.

Stern served as the Principal Investigator for several projects, including New Horizons’ Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission, which was launched in January 2006 and successfully flew by Pluto on July 14, 2015.

As of 2021, Stern is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and holds honorary doctorates from several institutions, including MIT and Caltech.

Contributions to Space Exploration

New Horizons Mission

The New Horizons mission has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of space exploration, particularly with regards to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune’s orbit.

As the principal investigator for the New Horizons project, Dr. Alan Stern has been at the forefront of this mission, guiding its development and execution since 2003 when the spacecraft was still in its conceptual phase.

The New Horizons spacecraft was launched on January 19, 2006 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and completed its flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015.

During this historic encounter, the spacecraft captured stunning images of Pluto’s surface and provided a wealth of data about the dwarf planet’s size, composition, and atmosphere.

The New Horizons mission has significantly contributed to our understanding of Pluto, revealing its diverse geological features, such as mountains, valleys, and even evidence of recent tectonic activity.

In addition to providing new insights into Pluto, the mission has also shed light on the Kuiper Belt region, which is thought to contain many small, icy worlds that are remnants from the formation of our solar system.

By studying the composition and structure of these objects, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of how they formed and evolved over billions of years.

The data collected by New Horizons has also been used to refine our models of the Kuiper Belt and its role in the formation and evolution of our solar system.

Moreover, the mission has demonstrated the capabilities of interplanetary exploration, paving the way for future missions to explore other worlds in the outer reaches of our solar system.

The New Horizons mission has been a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration, expanding our knowledge of the universe and inspiring new generations of scientists and engineers to pursue careers in this field.

Dr. Stern was the principal investigator for NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft mission, which successfully flew by Pluto on July 14th, 2015.

The contributions to space exploration made by Dr. Alan Stern are numerous and significant. As the principal investigator for NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft mission, he led a team of scientists and engineers in designing and implementing a highly successful flight to Pluto.

Under Dr. Stern’s leadership, the New Horizons spacecraft was launched on January 19th, 2006, and traveled over 3 billion miles through space to reach its destination. On July 14th, 2015, the spacecraft flew by Pluto at a distance of approximately 7,800 miles, capturing stunning images and gathering valuable data about the dwarf planet.

The mission was designed to explore the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune’s orbit, with the aim of shedding light on the formation and evolution of our solar system. New Horizons provided the first close-up observations of Pluto, revealing its geology, composition, and atmosphere in unprecedented detail.

Dr. Stern’s contributions to space exploration are not limited to his work on New Horizons. He has also been involved in other significant missions, including Voyager 1 and the Europa Clipper mission. His research has focused on the outer planets, moons, and dwarf planets of our solar system, with a particular emphasis on understanding the geological processes that shape their surfaces.

Dr. Stern’s passion for space exploration is evident in his advocacy for continued investment in NASA’s planetary science programs. He has written extensively on the importance of exploring our solar system and the potential for discovery in the outer reaches of our celestial neighborhood.

Main contributions:

• Principal investigator for New Horizons spacecraft mission
• Designed and implemented a highly successful flight to Pluto
• Led a team of scientists and engineers in designing and implementing the New Horizons mission
• Made significant contributions to our understanding of Pluto’s geology, composition, and atmosphere
• Advocated for continued investment in NASA’s planetary science programs
• Promoted public awareness and engagement with space exploration

Awards and honors:

• NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal (2016)
• NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal (2009)
• American Geophysical Union’s James B. Macelwane Medal (1997)

Dr. Alan Stern continues to be a leading figure in the field of planetary science, inspiring new generations of scientists and engineers with his passion for space exploration and discovery.

NASA Associate Administrator

The contributions of NASA’s associate administrators have played a pivotal role in advancing space exploration efforts.

One notable example is Dr. Alan Stern, who currently serves as the Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA.

Stern has been instrumental in overseeing and guiding numerous high-profile space missions and initiatives throughout his career.

Some of these notable contributions include:

• The New Horizons mission, which successfully flew by Pluto in 2015 and provided a wealth of information about the dwarf planet’s composition, geology, and atmosphere.
• The Kepler space telescope, which has discovered thousands of exoplanets and significantly advanced our understanding of planetary formation and the search for life beyond Earth.
• The Mars Exploration Program, which includes a range of robotic missions aimed at exploring the Martian surface and subsurface, including rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance.
• International collaborations such as the Cassini mission to Saturn, which involved partnerships with European Space Agency (ESA), Italian Space Agency (ASI), and other international partners.

Stern’s leadership has also helped facilitate cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches in areas like advanced propulsion systems, small satellite development, and more.

He continues to push the boundaries of what is possible through space exploration, with ongoing initiatives aimed at sending humans to Mars, exploring the outer Solar System, and expanding our understanding of the universe’s mysteries.

Under Stern’s guidance, NASA has continued to evolve and adapt in response to emerging challenges and opportunities in the field, positioning itself for sustained success in advancing human knowledge and exploration of the cosmos.

His vision, expertise, and leadership have earned him numerous accolades and recognition within the space community and beyond.

From January 2020 to October 2021, Dr. Alan Stern served as the Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters.

During his tenure as the Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Dr. Alan Stern made significant contributions to space exploration from January 2020 to October 2021.

Under his leadership, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) continued to advance the nation’s scientific knowledge and capabilities in space exploration, with a focus on understanding the universe, our place within it, and the potential for human presence beyond Earth.

One of Dr. Stern’s notable achievements during this period was the successful launch and operation of several NASA missions, including the Perseverance rover to Mars, which began exploring Jezero crater in February 2021.

The Perseverance mission, also known as the Mars Sample Return (MSR), aimed to explore the Martian surface for signs of past or present life and to assess the planet’s habitability, with a focus on understanding the geological history of Jezero crater.

Dr. Stern played a key role in overseeing the development and launch of other SMD missions during this period, including the Parker Solar Probe, which continues to explore the solar corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, and the heliosphere, the region of space influenced by the Sun.

The Parker Solar Probe has made numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including the detection of a magnetic field at the edge of the solar system, and has provided valuable insights into the dynamics of the solar wind, charged particles emanating from the Sun.

Additionally, Dr. Stern oversaw the development and launch of the Europa Clipper mission, which will explore Jupiter’s icy moon Europa in the mid-2020s, with a focus on understanding the moon’s subsurface ocean and potential for life.

The Europa Clipper mission has the potential to reveal new insights into the habitability of Europa, including the presence of liquid water beneath its surface, and will provide valuable information about the moon’s composition and geology.

Throughout his tenure as Associate Administrator of the SMD, Dr. Stern also emphasized the importance of continued investment in space exploration and the need for sustained funding to support NASA’s long-term science objectives.

He recognized that space exploration is essential for advancing our understanding of the universe, improving life on Earth, and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Notable Quotes and Insights

On Space Exploration

The quest for space exploration has been an ongoing endeavor that continues to fascinate humans with its complexity and vastness. A leading figure in this pursuit is Dr. Alan Stern, a renowned astrophysicist who has made significant contributions to our understanding of the cosmos. His quotes and insights offer valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities presented by space exploration.

One notable quote from Dr. Stern emphasizes the importance of persevering through adversity: “The most difficult thing in the world is to do nothing when you have been ordered to stay where you are.” This phrase reflects his experience as a member of the New Horizons team, which encountered numerous challenges during its historic flyby of Pluto.

Dr. Stern’s work on the New Horizons mission has provided valuable insights into the Kuiper Belt, a region of our solar system characterized by icy bodies and small celestial objects. He notes that the discovery of water vapor at the edge of the Kuiper Belt suggests that comets may originate from this area.

Another insightful quote from Dr. Stern highlights the significance of exploration in shaping human understanding: “Exploration is not a luxury, it’s an economic driver. It drives innovation, it creates new industries, and it opens up new markets.” This perspective underscores the potential benefits of space exploration for society as a whole.

In discussing the challenges facing space missions, Dr. Stern acknowledges the risks involved in interplanetary travel: “Space is a hostile environment, and we have to be prepared to deal with its harsh conditions.” He emphasizes the need for advanced technologies and careful planning to ensure mission success.

Dr. Alan Stern’s quotes and insights offer a glimpse into the complexities of space exploration. His experience as a leader in this field provides valuable perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and future directions of human endeavors in space.

Stern emphasizes the importance of sending human missions to Mars in an interview with The Planetary Society.

The Planetary Society, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the solar system and searching for life beyond Earth, recently featured an interview with Dr. Alan Stern, the principal investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto.

In the interview, Stern emphasized the significance of sending human missions to Mars, highlighting its potential for expanding our understanding of space and our place within it.

“We need to go to the Red Planet,” he stated. “We need to go there soon.”

Mars, with its rocky terrain and thin atmosphere, poses a unique set of challenges for human exploration, but Stern believes that overcoming these obstacles is crucial for advancing our knowledge of space.

“The more we learn about Mars,” he explained, “the more we’ll understand about the potential habitability of other planets in our solar system and beyond.”

Habitable zones, areas where conditions are suitable for life to thrive, are a key focus area for Stern and his team. By studying Mars’ geology and climate, scientists can gain insights into the possibility of life existing elsewhere in our solar system.

The ultimate goal, according to Stern, is not only to send humans to Mars but also to establish a sustainable presence on the planet. This would involve developing new technologies and strategies for Mars exploration and establishing a human settlement that can thrive in the harsh Martian environment.

“It’s going to be a tough road,” Stern acknowledged, “but I believe it’s a journey worth taking.”

The significance of sending human missions to Mars extends beyond scientific discovery; it also has profound implications for humanity’s future. By exploring and settling the Red Planet, we can secure our place in the solar system and ensure that our species continues to evolve and thrive.

On Space Agencies Cooperation

The concept of space agencies cooperating with one another has been a cornerstone of progress in space exploration for decades. Alan Stern, the principal investigator of the New Horizons mission to Pluto and a renowned astrophysicist, emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in advancing our understanding of the cosmos.

“We’re living at a time when it’s more important than ever that we work together,” Dr. Stern states, highlighting the need for collaboration among space agencies to tackle complex challenges such as climate change and resource utilization in space.

The success of missions like International Space Station (ISS) has demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation in advancing scientific knowledge and improving life on Earth. Dr. Stern points out that the ISS program has fostered a spirit of global collaboration, allowing nations to come together and achieve far more than they could alone.

One notable example of space agencies cooperating is the NASA-ESA partnership in the Cassini mission to Saturn. The joint effort between the US space agency and its European counterpart enabled scientists to study the Saturnian system in unprecedented detail, revealing new insights into the planet’s moons, rings, and magnetic field.

The cooperation among space agencies has also led to significant advancements in technology and infrastructure development. Dr. Stern notes that shared resources and expertise have allowed agencies to develop more efficient propulsion systems, improve communication networks, and advance life support systems for long-duration missions.

However, Alan Stern also acknowledges the challenges associated with international cooperation, including differences in priorities, funding models, and decision-making processes among participating nations. He emphasizes the need for effective diplomacy and negotiation to overcome these obstacles and ensure successful collaborations.

In conclusion, the cooperation among space agencies has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration. As Dr. Stern aptly puts it, “Together, we can achieve far more than any one nation could alone.”

He advocates for international cooperation between space agencies, such as NASA working closely with European Space Agency (ESA) and other national bodies, as discussed at a presentation held by the University of Colorado Boulder.

The article highlights the notable quotes and insights from Alan Stern, who emphasizes the importance of international cooperation between space agencies to achieve ambitious space exploration goals.

Stern, a renowned expert in space science, advocates for closer collaboration between NASA and other national bodies such as the European Space Agency (ESA), emphasizing that “the best way to make progress in space is by working together.” He believes that international cooperation can accelerate scientific discoveries and technological advancements, ultimately benefiting humanity as a whole.

During his presentation at the University of Colorado Boulder, Stern discussed the benefits of partnering with other nations and space agencies to tackle complex challenges in space exploration, such as planetary defense, lunar resource utilization, and Mars sample return missions.

He notes that by working together, space agencies can share resources, expertise, and risk, enabling more ambitious and cost-effective projects. For instance, the ESA’s participation in NASA’s Artemis program has greatly enhanced its chances of success, demonstrating the value of international cooperation in achieving shared goals.

Stern also emphasizes the need for greater investment in space research and development to address emerging challenges such as asteroid threats, space debris mitigation, and human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. By pooling resources and expertise through international cooperation, he believes that these challenges can be overcome more effectively.

Ultimately, Alan Stern’s vision of international space cooperation envisions a future where space agencies work together seamlessly to advance humanity’s understanding of the universe, driving breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation that benefit all nations and peoples.

In conclusion, his advocacy for closer collaboration between NASA and other national bodies such as the ESA demonstrates a deep commitment to achieving shared goals through collective effort and mutual cooperation.