Michael Combs
Papers
1
Total Citations
33
H-Index
1
About
Michael Combs is a leading figure in space systems engineering and planetary science, with a primary focus on lunar exploration and small satellite missions. His most significant contribution is his leadership of the **Lunar IceCube** mission, a NASA nanosatellite designed to prospect for water ice and other volatiles on the Moon. This pioneering project, part of the Artemis I (EM-1) secondary payloads, represents a critical step toward in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for future human exploration. Combs’ work directly addresses the challenge of locating and measuring water ice deposits, which are essential for sustainable lunar bases. His 2019 paper on the mission, which has garnered 33 citations, outlines the spacecraft’s design and scientific objectives, establishing a foundation for a new generation of low-cost, high-impact planetary science. By advancing public-private partnerships in space exploration, Combs has helped demonstrate how small satellites can perform complex reconnaissance, paving the way for more efficient and affordable missions to the Moon and beyond.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1The Lunar IceCube EM-1 Mission: Prospecting the Moon for Water Ice33 citations · 2019