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About

Charles D. Conner is a leading figure in space systems engineering, with a primary focus on small satellite missions for lunar exploration. His most influential work centers on the NASA Lunar IceCube mission, a pioneering nanosatellite designed to prospect for water ice and other volatiles on the Moon. Conner’s major contribution lies in demonstrating how compact, cost-effective spacecraft can perform high-value planetary science, directly supporting future human and robotic exploration. His 2019 paper on the Lunar IceCube EM-1 mission, which has garnered 33 citations, outlines the mission’s architecture and its public-private partnership model—a key achievement that showcases innovative collaboration between NASA and industry. By advancing the use of CubeSats for deep-space reconnaissance, Conner’s work helps pave the way for in-situ resource utilization, a critical step toward sustainable lunar habitats. His research not only maps the distribution of lunar water but also proves that small satellites can tackle ambitious exploration goals, inspiring a new generation of engineers and scientists to think big with small platforms.