As part of its effort to preserve planetary science data for generations to come, NASA has selected Moses Milazzo to be the first chief scientist for the Planetary Data Ecosystem (PDE). This newly created role provides an independent link between the larger PDE community, the Planetary Data System (PDS) and NASA Headquarters, and also refines and represents the PDE to NASA.
The PDE is a recently established concept describing the broad public landscape, user community and myriad organizations that are involved in planning, obtaining, analyzing, preserving and sharing data derived from planetary science research and space missions. In March, the PDE Independent Review Board delivered a report providing actionable recommendations to NASA’s Planetary Science Division for its long-term planning and support of the PDE, one of which was the establishment of the chief scientist position.
“The establishment of this independent chief scientist role provides the planetary data community with a voice directly representing it to NASA,” said Lori Glaze, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division. “This ensures that those who use and rely on the PDS and other elements of the ecosystem have a direct link to NASA, so we hear a diversity of input and experience as the PDE continues to grow and evolve. I look forward to working with Moses as he represents the PDE as a whole.”
Milazzo is a planetary scientist and educator specializing in visible and near-infrared remote sensing, as well as planetary data processing. He has been an active participant on eight NASA spacecraft missions, and has contributed significantly to the development of planetary remote sensing, image processing, cartographic mapping and calibration techniques for a variety of missions and data types, including: MRO, MGS, and Odyssey (Mars); Cassini, Galileo and Voyager (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto). He also managed the USGS portion of the NASA-funded PLANETS project to develop out-of-school-time planetary science and engineering curricular materials for middle school-aged youth. Milazzo received his Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona.
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