Fast Infrared Exoplanet Spectroscopy Survey Explorer (FINESSE) (Mark Swain)
Mark Swain is one of the pioneers for methods for spectroscopic detection of molecules in exoplanet atmospheres
and he led the discovery team that made the first detection of methane and carbon dioxide in an exoplanet atmosphere. He has played a key role in developing calibration methods for exoplanet spectroscopy for Hubble, Spitzer, and ground-based instruments. He built and leads the multidisciplinary ExoSpec team, which includes domain knowledge in the areas of astronomical instrumentation, high-performance calibration, spectral retrieval, atmospheric chemistry, planetary atmospheres, and fundamental molecular properties; the ExoSpec team has published numerous papers and is one of the leading groups in the area of exoplanet characterization.
To learn more, please visit:
http://appel.nasa.gov/knowledge-sharing/pi-team-masters-forums/
Related Resources
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Houston, we had a problem…and we learned from it!Space is hard. Inevitably, problems may occur. We can all learn valuable lessons from past events to ensure the safety and success of current and future programs. Enjoy reading and learning from a selection of such events. This booklet produced by the Johnson Space Center Knowledge Management Office contains numerous lesson learned from NASA missions and projects.
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Apollo 1-Challenger-ColumbiaEvery year as we get back in the saddle, our Remembrance Day signals us to think back to the tragic events of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia as well as the context surrounding them. We’re accountable for learning from not just what went wrong, but how we recovered. As an example, read these rules recorded by Wayne Hale, former NASA Flight Director and Space Shuttle Program Manager. By actually applying such lessons from the past to your current work, our actions can honor our lost crews beyond silent reflection.
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Shuttle Software AnomalyCase Study–A few minutes after the Shuttle Endeavour reached orbit for STS-126 on Nov. 14, 2008, mission control noticed that the shuttle did not automatically transfer two communications processes from launch to orbit configuration. Primary communications continued to use S-band frequencies after they should have transferred to the more powerful Ku-band. The link between the shuttle and its payload — the Payload Signal Processor (PSP)–remained configured for a radio link rather than switching.
