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About

Erik Asphaug is a leading planetary scientist whose work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of asteroid geophysics and the practical challenges of exploring these primitive bodies. His research centers on the physical properties of asteroids, the mechanics of impact processes, and the feasibility of human and robotic missions to near-Earth objects. Asphaug’s most influential contribution is his demonstration that asteroid strength is scale-dependent, a key insight for predicting fragmentation during impacts and for designing spacecraft interactions with low-gravity surfaces. This work, published in his most-cited paper (57 citations), has critical implications both for planetary defense and for resource utilization. He was also a driving force behind NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), leading the FAST team that helped formulate mission requirements for capturing and returning an entire near-Earth asteroid to the ISS. His broader vision for asteroid exploration is captured in his 2006 paper “Adventures in Near-Earth Object Exploration,” which highlighted the unexpected challenges of landing on these exotic worlds. More recently, Asphaug has applied machine learning to interpret remote sensing data and has contributed to mission concepts for Phobos and lunar base design, demonstrating a career-long commitment to turning fundamental science into actionable exploration strategies.