Jennifer Curtis

University of California, Davis, University of Florida

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Total Citations

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About

Jennifer Curtis is a leading researcher in the field of plume-surface interaction (PSI) physics, with a primary focus on the hazards posed by spacecraft propulsive landings on unprepared planetary surfaces. Her work is critical to the safety and success of robotic and human exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Curtis’s major contributions include the development of realistic regolith models that accurately simulate the liberation of dust and debris particles by rocket plume impingement flow. Her most-cited paper, "Realistic Regolith Models for Plume-Surface Interaction in Spacecraft Propulsive Landings" (2020, 13 citations), provides foundational insights into the high-risk dynamics of particle entrainment during landing. Additionally, her research on "Particle Flow Physics Modeling for Extreme Environments" (2016, 2 citations) extends these principles to in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and fluidic transport of regolith materials. Curtis’s work is instrumental in mitigating mission risks and advancing the engineering of landing systems for extreme extraterrestrial environments, making her a key figure in planetary exploration and space technology development.