The Team
The scientists, engineers, and institutions that built and operate the ASPERA-3 experiment on ESA's Mars Express.
Leadership
Principal Investigator (–2014)
Prof. Rickard Lundin (IRF)
- Director of the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (1994–2003)
- Professor in Space Physics at the University of Umeå (1989)
Prof. Lundin represented the single-point formal interface with the ESA Mars Express Project Office for scientific and general matters. He supervised all experiment definition, instrument design and development, and support for mission operations, and was responsible for supplying the experiment, support equipment, documentation, and required software.
His experience includes serving as PI for about ten hot plasma experiments: sounding rockets, PROMICS/Prognoz-7 and -8, the hot plasma experiment on Viking, ASPERA/Phobos, ASPERA-C/Mars-96, IMI/Planet-B, and ICA/Rosetta. He also served as Co-I on hot plasma experiments for Freja, Equator-S, and Cluster, and as Project Scientist for the Swedish Freja satellite.
Principal Investigator (2014–)
Assoc. Prof. Mats Holmström (IRF)
- PhD in Scientific Computing, Uppsala University, Sweden (1993)
- Scientist at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston; MSc in Engineering Physics, Uppsala University
Before assuming the Principal Investigator duties, Prof. Holmström served as the operational manager for ASPERA-3. He now coordinates and directs the science activities for ASPERA-3 and is the interface with the ESA Mars Express Project Office for scientific and general matters. Prof. Holmström has authored more than 200 papers dealing with unmagnetized or weakly magnetized planets.
Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. Stanislav Barabash (IRF)
- PhD in Space Physics, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna (1996)
- Scientist at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna
- Deputy Director, Swedish Institute of Space Physics (2005–2016)
- Director, Swedish Institute of Space Physics (2016–)
Dr. Barabash participated as Co-I in the Mars plasma experiments ASPERA/Phobos-1 and -2, PROMICS/Interball-Auroral and -Tail, and ASPERA-C/Mars-96. He also served as PI for the ENA instrument PIPPI/Astrid-1 and the ENA detector DINA/nanosatellite Munin. He was responsible for coordinating ASPERA-3 development and served as the hardware-providing Co-I. His experience spans instrument design, data analysis, and theory.
Experiment Manager (–2000)
Joakim Gimholt (IRF)
Mr. Gimholt participated in several experiment development efforts including Freja, Astrid-1, Mars-96, Planet-B, and Rosetta. He coordinated the hardware and software efforts of all ASPERA-3 segments and served as the single-point formal interface with the ESA Mars Express Project Office for technical matters.
Experiment Manager (2000–)
Herman Andersson (IRF)
Mr. Andersson is the Technical Group Executive Manager at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna. He coordinated hardware and software efforts for all ASPERA-3 segments and served as the single-point formal interface for technical matters with the ESA Mars Express Project Office. His career spans Interball-1, -2 and -3, Viking, Phobos-1 and -2, Freja, Mars-96, and Rosetta.
Scientific Personnel
Riccardo Cerulli-Irelli (IFSI)
Research Staff Member, Italian Research Council — IFSI
Laurea in Physics, University of Rome (1967)
Plasma experiments: HEOS-2/S-202, EGD/ISEE-2 (project manager), ENA/Giotto (project manager), ISO/LWS-DPU, Equator-s/CIS, SAC-B/ISENA (project manager), TSS-1R/RENE.
Andrew Coates (MSSL)
Professor of Physics & Deputy Director, UCL Mullard Space Science Lab
PhD in Plasma Physics, Oxford University (1982)
PI ExoMars 2020/PanCam; Co-I Cassini CAPS, Venus Express ASPERA-4, Rosetta, JUICE PEP, BepiColombo MPPE, Cluster-PEACE, MMS FPI, Mars 2020 MastCam-Z.
Charles Curtis (UA)
Research Associate Professor, University of Arizona
PhD in Physics, University of Arizona (1978)
Designer of FIS and EIS sensors for VEGA/Comet Halley; project manager for the EUV Imager on NASA IMAGE.
Andrei Fedorov (IKI)
Senior Scientist, Space Research Institute (IKI), Moscow
M.Sc. in Experimental Nuclear Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (1980)
PI for TRIPLET and VDP/Interball; Co-I BIFRAM/Intershock, CORALL/Interball, FONEMA/Mars-96, DINA/Munin.
Rudy Frahm (SwRI)
Principal Scientist, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio TX
PhD in Space Physics and Astronomy, Rice University (1987)
Instrument design and operations: UARS/MEPS, TSS/SPES, DMSP/SSJ/4, and numerous sounding rockets.
Manuel Grande (RAL)
Leader, Experimental Solar System Physics Group, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
PhD in Cosmic Ray Physics, Bristol University (1986)
Deputy PI RAPID/Cluster; Co-I CAPS/Cassini, PEACE/Cluster, Cammice/POLAR; contributor to ENA imaging missions POLAR, ISENA/SAC-B, MENA/IMAGE.
Ke Chiang Hsieh (UA)
Professor, University of Arizona, Tucson
PhD in Physics, University of Chicago (1969)
ENA detector/imager development since 1979. PI neutral gas mass analyzers VEGA/Comet Halley; original instrument lead HENA/IMAGE; Co-I CELIAS/SOHO, MIMI/Cassini.
Esa Kallio (FMI)
Scientist, Geophysical Research Division, Finnish Meteorological Institute
PhD (1996) — "Mars-Solar Wind Interaction: Ion Observations and their Interpretation"
Data analysis of ion mass spectrometer Phobos/SPERA; analysis of ENA production at Mars.
Hannu Koskinen (FMI)
Professor in Space Physics, University of Helsinki; Finnish Meteorological Institute
PhD, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala (1985)
Data analysis Phobos/ASPERA; Co-I Mars-96/ASPERA-C (DPU H/W and S/W lead); Co-I Astrid-1/PIPPI.
Janet Kozyra (SPRL)
Associate Research Scientist, Space Physics Research Laboratory, University of Michigan
PhD in Atmospheric Sciences, University of Michigan (1986)
Theory and modeling of ionosphere–magnetosphere coupling. Interdisciplinary Scientist on TIMED. DE and AMPTE/CCE data analysis.
Norbert Krupp (MPAe)
Scientific Staff, Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Katlenburg-Lindau
PhD, University of Florence (1982)
Data analysis from ULYSSES and GALILEO. Science team member MIMI/Cassini.
Dave Linder (MSSL)
Programme Manager, UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Co-I Cassini CAPS, Venus Express ASPERA-4, Mars Express ASPERA-3, Rosetta, JUICE PEP, BepiColombo MPPE, Cluster-PEACE, Double Star PEACE.
Stefano Livi (MPAe)
Scientific Staff, Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Katlenburg-Lindau
PhD, University of Florence (1982)
Co-PI CAMMICE/POLAR and MIMI/Cassini; leading Co-I RTOF/ROSINA-Rosetta; Co-I AMPTE, PHOBOS, CRRES, GALILEO, ULYSSES, GEOTAIL, SOHO, POLAR, CLUSTER 2, GIOTTO.
Janet Luhmann (SSL)
Senior Fellow, Space Sciences Laboratory, UC Berkeley
PhD in Astronomy, University of Maryland (1974)
Theory, modeling, and data analysis of solar wind interactions with Venus and Mars. Responsible for Pioneer Venus magnetometer analysis; Co-I on two POLAR experiments.
Olle Norberg (IRF)
Scientist, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna
M.Sc. in Engineering Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm (1988)
Co-I on Phobos, Freja, Mars-96, and Planet-B. PI on Astrid-1, Astrid-2, and Munin. Co-I Ion Composition Analyzer/Rosetta.
Stefano Orsini (IFSI)
Research Staff Member, Italian Research Council — IFSI
Laurea in Physics, University of Rome (1976)
Co-I ISEE-2/EGD, INTERBALL/OPERA, TSS-1 and TSS-1R/TEMAC. PI ENA instrument ISENA/SAC-B.
Edmond Roelof (APL)
Principal Professional Staff, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
PhD, UC Berkeley (1966)
Theory and analysis of energetic particles and ENA imaging. Co-I Pioneer 10/11, Galileo/EPD, Ulysses/SPECAM, Geotail/EPIC, Cassini/INCA, TWINS, Astrid ENA.
Bill Sandel (UA)
Senior Research Scientist, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
PhD in Space Science, Rice University (1972)
PI UV Imager/Viking and EUV Imager/IMAGE. Co-I UVS/Voyager and UVS/EUV/Galileo. Advanced photon-counting array detectors for Shuttle experiments.
Jean-André Sauvaud (CESR)
Director of Research, CNRS; Head, Solar System Dept., CESR
Docteur ès Sciences, University of Toulouse (1977)
Co-I on ARCAD 1–3, ISEE-1 and -2, Giotto, Mars-96, MGS, and Cluster. PI on two Interball satellites.
James Sharber (SwRI)
Staff Scientist, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio TX
PhD in Physics, Texas A&M University (1972)
Analysis of ISIS, DE, NOAA, Viking, and UARS data. Co-I UARS and Cluster. PI for PULSAUR II and ARIA campaign particle detectors.
Donald Williams (APL)
Chief Scientist, Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center, Johns Hopkins APL
PhD, Yale University (1961)
PI and Co-I on numerous NASA, NOAA, DoD, and European satellites including Galileo/EPD and Geotail/EPIC.
David Winningham (SwRI)
Institute Scientist, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio TX
PhD in Physics, Texas A&M University (1970)
PI for DE-2, PEM/UARS, plasma analyzers on Giotto, TSS-1, TSS-1R. Co-I on ISIS-1/2 and DE-1.
Joachim Woch (MPAe)
Scientific Staff, Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Katlenburg-Lindau
PhD, University of Göttingen, Institute of Geophysics (1987)
Co-I on SWICS and EPAC/ULYSSES, PROMICS/Interball, RAPID/Cluster 2, ROSINA/Rosetta. Data analysis from GEOS, Viking, Ulysses, Polar, and Galileo.
Peter Wurz (UBe)
Professor & Director, Dept. of Space Science and Planetology, University of Bern
PhD, Technical University of Vienna, Austria (1990)
Co-I CELIAS/SOHO, LENA/IMAGE; Lead Scientist RTOF/ROSINA-Rosetta; Co-I ASPERA-3 and ASPERA-4; PI NGMS/Luna-Resurs and Luna-Glob; Co-PI PEP/JUICE; Co-I IMAP-Lo/IMAP.
Masatoshi Yamauchi (IRF)
Scientific Staff, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna
PhD in Space Physics, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (1990)
Data analysis from Magsat, Viking, Freja, and Ulysses. Co-I IMI/Planet-B (test and calibration). Analytical theories and MHD.
Technical Personnel
Joakim Gimholt (IRF, Experiment Manager)
Project Manager & R&D Engineer, Swedish Institute of Space Physics
M.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering, Luleå Technical University (1991)
Electronics and mechanics design, vacuum/cryogenic technology, particle detector development. Led ASPERA-C/Mars-96, IMIS/Planet-B, IMI/Freja, PIPPI/Astrid-1, MEDUSA/Astrid-2. QA Manager ICA/Rosetta.
Kjell Lundin (IRF)
Head of Electronics Group, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Kiruna
Space plasma instruments (all aspects) and project management. 25+ years experience starting from ESRO-4. Technical Manager, ICA experiment for ESA Rosetta.
Herman Andersson (IRF)
Senior Research Engineer, Swedish Institute of Space Physics
Development, design, and testing of particle instruments and ground support equipment. Lead electrical engineer or PM on Interball-1/2/3, Viking, Phobos-1&2, Freja, Mars-96, Rosetta.
Pekka Riihimäki (FMI)
Design Engineer, Finnish Meteorological Institute
Digital electronics design. Projects: Phobos/ASPERA (memory unit), Interball/PROMICS-3 (DPU), Mars-96/ASPERA-C (DPU), Astrid-1 (data compression), Rosetta/ICA&LAP (DPU), Rosetta Lander/CDMS.
Jouni Rynö (FMI)
Design Engineer, Finnish Meteorological Institute
M.Sc.
Flight software development and data compression. Projects: Mars-96/ASPERA-C (flight software), Astrid-1 (data compression software), Stardust/CIDA (flight software).
John Scherrer (SwRI)
Senior Program Manager, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio TX
MBA, University of Texas at San Antonio (1986)
Electronics packaging, vacuum technology, particle detector design. Lead mechanical engineer and PM for MAIMIK SPI, POLAR ARCS, ARIA SPS, CENTAUR payloads, and MEDUSA/Astrid-2.
Sandee Jeffers (SwRI)
Staff Analyst, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio TX
M.Sc. in Computer Science/System Design, University of Texas at San Antonio (1991)
Scientific software development and data management. Author of the UARS/PEM data production processing system. Data processing and analysis software for multiple research programs.
Jean-Louis Médale (CESR)
Engineer, Centre d'Étude Spatiale des Rayonnements
Particle detectors and analog electronics, TOF electronics, and MCP imaging systems. Projects: ARCAD-3, Giotto, MSG, Cluster, and Equator-S.
Donald Reading (RAL)
Senior Scientific Officer, Space Science Dept., Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
PhD in High Energy Physics
Instrument physicist on space and high-energy experiments. Responsible for Cluster MCP testing and UV rejection filter testing for IMAGE/MENA and SAC-B/ISENA.
Elena Budnik (IKI)
Research Staff, Space Research Institute, Moscow
M.Sc., Moscow State University (1977)
Scientific software and data analysis. Co-I on PROMICS-3/Interball and ASPERA-C/Mars-96. Data analysis software for PROGNOZ-7 and PROGNOZ-8.
Dhiren Kateria (MSSL)
Calibration Lead, ASPERA-3 Electron Spectrometer, UCL MSSL
Space instrumentation and in-situ detection systems, sensor calibrations. Co-PI Light Ion Analyser ESA-CAS/SMILE, Co-I and Suite Instrument Scientist SWA/Solar Orbiter, PI ChaPS/TechDemoSat, Technical Lead PEP/JUICE.
Carrie Gonzalez (SwRI)
Principal Engineer, Southwest Research Institute
M.S. Industrial Engineering, St. Mary's University (1989)
Real-time and post-analysis software for HPCA/MMS, Cluster/PEACE, RAD/MSL, MENA/IMAGE, JADE/JUNO, VEx/ASPERA-4, MEx/ASPERA-3, HAPI/DE-1, LAPI/DE-2, UARS/PEM, TSS and TSS-R.