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About

Jae Schwanethal is a planetary scientist whose research focuses on the characterization and utilization of volatiles—particularly water ice—at the lunar poles, with an eye toward enabling sustainable human exploration of the Moon. Their most cited work, "Assessing the Distribution of Water Ice and Other Volatiles at the Lunar South Pole with LUVMI-X: A Mission Concept" (2022, 9 citations), outlines a pioneering mission concept designed to map and sample volatile deposits in permanently shadowed regions. This study contributes directly to the strategic goal of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), a cornerstone of future crewed lunar missions. Schwanethal’s research bridges the gap between remote sensing observations and practical exploration, helping to identify where and how accessible water ice might be extracted. Their work is particularly notable for its integration of mission design with scientific assessment, offering a concrete pathway for prospecting at the Moon’s south pole. With growing international interest in lunar polar exploration, Schwanethal’s contributions are increasingly relevant, positioning them as a key voice in the next era of planetary resource science.