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Athena Coustenis is a distinguished planetary scientist whose research spans some of the most compelling frontiers in solar system exploration, from the enigmatic moons of the outer planets to the critical policy frameworks governing humanity's reach into space. She is perhaps best known for her foundational work on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, co-authoring the landmark 1999 volume *Titan: The Earth-Like Moon* — the first comprehensive book dedicated to this uniquely atmospheric world — which has become an essential reference for planetary scientists worldwide, accumulating 44 citations. Her expertise extends to the ice giants Uranus and Neptune, where she has contributed to shaping the scientific case for dedicated robotic exploration missions in the 2020s. Increasingly, Coustenis has emerged as a leading voice in planetary protection policy, authoring influential work on safeguarding scientific integrity during both robotic and crewed Mars missions, reflecting growing international concern as space access expands to new actors. Her publications have collectively drawn nearly 100 citations across just five papers, underscoring their broad relevance. Coustenis exemplifies the modern planetary scientist: equally at home decoding alien atmospheres and navigating the complex intersection of space science and international governance.