Heather Justice

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Papers

2

Total Citations

31

H-Index

2

About

Heather Justice is a leading figure in planetary robotics, specializing in the complex operational strategies that enable long-duration surface missions on Mars. Her research focuses on the tactical and strategic command of robotic systems, from robotic arms and sampling mechanisms to mobility platforms and aerial drones. Justice’s most significant contribution is her detailed chronicle of the first 210 sols of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission, a highly cited work (20 citations) that documents the pioneering robotic operations behind the rover’s successful sample collection and the Ingenuity helicopter’s flights, offering critical lessons for future missions. Her earlier, equally impactful work on the Mars Exploration Rovers (11 citations) provides a masterclass in adapting operational tactics to overcome the challenges of aging hardware, as Spirit and Opportunity far exceeded their 90-day design lives. Through these definitive accounts, Justice has established herself as a key chronicler and architect of Martian exploration, providing an invaluable operational blueprint for the next generation of robotic explorers.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

2
H-Index
2
Papers
31
Total Citations
16
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
First 210 solar days of Mars 2020 Perseverance Robotic Operations - Mobility, Robotic Arm, Sampling, and Helicopter
20 citations · 2022
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2022 (1 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 25
🏛 Institutions: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Top Papers

  1. 1
  2. 2

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
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