description Ellen Stofan Overview
Ellen Stofan is an American planetary geologist whose research examines the geology of Venus, Mars, Titan, and Earth. At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory she served as deputy project scientist for the Magellan mission to Venus and worked on radar imaging, and she later became NASA’s Chief Scientist and a principal science adviser to the administrator. Her work is relevant to planetary mapping, comparative geology, and the scientific planning of space missions.
help Ellen Stofan FAQ
What planets did Ellen Stofan study as a planetary geologist?
Her research has examined Venus, Mars, Titan, and Earth. That range covers terrestrial planets, a moon of Saturn, and the geology of our own planet.
What did Ellen Stofan do on NASA's Magellan mission?
At NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, she served as deputy project scientist for the Magellan mission to Venus. Magellan used radar imaging to study the surface of Venus through its dense cloud cover.
Was Ellen Stofan NASA's chief scientist?
Yes, she later served as NASA's chief scientist. Her career combines planetary research with leadership in major space-science programs.
What museum leadership role did Ellen Stofan later hold?
She later became director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. That role followed her work as a planetary geologist and NASA science leader.
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