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About

Kristen Cote is a planetary scientist whose work bridges the gap between Earth-based simulations and the future of Mars exploration. Her research centers on Mars sample return mission planning, analog field studies, and the geological analysis of materials collected under simulated extraterrestrial conditions. Cote made a significant contribution to the field as a key member of the CanMars Mars Sample Return analogue mission, a high-fidelity simulation that tested real-time operational protocols for selecting and caching samples on Mars. The resulting 2018 paper, with 33 citations, has become a foundational reference for mission planners. She further advanced our understanding of sample integrity through her work on the AMADEE-18 Mars Analog Mission in Oman, where she led the laboratory analysis of returned samples. Her 2020 study, which has garnered 13 citations, demonstrated how terrestrial analogs can inform the handling and interpretation of future Martian materials. By refining the link between field simulations and laboratory science, Cote’s work directly supports the strategic goals of NASA’s and ESA’s upcoming Mars Sample Return campaigns.