Shannah Withrow-Maser

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Shannah Withrow-Maser is a pioneering aerospace engineer whose work is redefining the possibilities of extraterrestrial flight. Her primary research focuses on the conceptual design and development of advanced rotorcraft for planetary exploration, specifically targeting Mars. Withrow-Maser’s major contributions lie in shaping the next generation of Martian aerial vehicles, moving beyond the groundbreaking success of the Ingenuity helicopter. She is the lead author on the conceptual design of the Mars Science Helicopter, a larger, more capable craft designed to carry scientific payloads and dramatically expand the range of terrain accessible for study. Her most notable work, however, is on the Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter (SRH), a critical component of the Mars Sample Return Mission. This project aims to retrieve the first samples of Martian rock and soil collected by the Perseverance rover, a feat that would be a monumental step in astrobiology and planetary science. While her citation counts are currently modest, reflecting the cutting-edge, forward-looking nature of her work, her research is foundational to the future of aerial planetary science. Withrow-Maser is actively shaping how humanity will explore other worlds from the sky.