Kathleen Mandt

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Kathleen Mandt is a planetary scientist whose research bridges the exploration of the solar system’s most distant giants and the Moon’s hidden resources. Her work focuses on volatile chemistry and the evolution of planetary bodies, with key contributions to understanding ice giants like Uranus and Neptune. In her highly cited 2020 paper, she helped frame the international push for a dedicated robotic mission to these unexplored worlds, emphasizing their critical role in planetary science. On the lunar front, Mandt has been instrumental in assessing water ice and other volatiles at the Moon’s south pole. Her 2023 study using LRO-LAMP data identified potential reserves of H₂O, CO₂, and NH₃ in cold traps, directly informing NASA’s Artemis program goals. With over 39 citations across her most influential works, Mandt’s research is shaping both the next generation of outer planet exploration and the sustainable human presence on the Moon. Her ability to connect fundamental volatile processes across vastly different environments—from the icy depths of the Kuiper belt to the lunar poles—marks her as a leading voice in planetary science.