Sara Pierson

Papers

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About

Sara Pierson is a pioneering aerospace engineer whose research centers on the design of robotic systems for extreme planetary environments, with a particular focus on icy ocean worlds like Europa. Her most notable contribution is the conceptualization and system design of the Vertical Entry Robot for Navigating Europa (VERNE), a novel mission architecture that addresses the formidable challenge of accessing subsurface liquid water beneath thick ice shells. This work, which has garnered 11 citations, proposes a vertical entry vehicle capable of melting or drilling through Europa’s crust, offering a transformative approach to astrobiology exploration. Pierson’s research integrates mission design, thermal dynamics, and robotic autonomy, positioning her as a key figure in the search for life beyond Earth. Her contributions are critical for future NASA and international missions targeting ocean worlds, where her innovative solutions could enable direct sampling of potentially habitable environments. By tackling the extreme pressures, temperatures, and communication delays of such missions, Pierson is helping to turn science fiction into engineering reality, inspiring a new generation of planetary explorers.