Holly A. Bender
Papers
1
Total Citations
19
H-Index
1
About
Holly A. Bender is a leading planetary scientist whose work centers on lunar geology and the distribution of water on the Moon. As the Principal Investigator of NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer mission—selected in 2019 under the competitive SIMPLEx program—she has driven a pioneering small satellite effort to map the form, abundance, and cycling of lunar water. This mission, now in implementation for a 2022 delivery, promises to transform our understanding of the Moon’s volatile resources and their role in the lunar water cycle. Her most cited paper (2022, 19 citations) outlines the mission’s ambitious goals, including high-resolution data collection that will inform future exploration. Bender’s work bridges fundamental planetary science with practical resource assessment, positioning her as a key figure in the new era of low-cost, high-impact lunar missions. Her leadership exemplifies how focused, innovative spacecraft can address grand questions about water’s origins and behavior on airless bodies, inspiring a generation of students to pursue bold, resourceful exploration.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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