Moogega Cooper
Papers
1
Total Citations
237
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Moogega Cooper is a planetary protection engineer and a key figure in NASA’s Mars exploration program, ensuring that robotic missions do not contaminate the pristine environments they seek to study. Her research centers on planetary protection, astrobiology, and the development of sterilization protocols for spacecraft. Cooper’s most notable contribution is her leadership in the planetary protection strategy for the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, which involved certifying that the mission’s hardware met stringent biological cleanliness standards. Her work directly enabled the safe deployment of the SHERLOC instrument—a Raman and fluorescence spectrometer designed to detect organic compounds and potential biosignatures on the Martian surface. The SHERLOC investigation, detailed in a 2021 paper with 237 citations, represents a landmark in in-situ chemical mapping. Cooper’s achievements include receiving the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and being named one of *Time*’s Next Generation Leaders. Her rigorous contamination control protocols have set new benchmarks for future astrobiology missions, safeguarding the scientific integrity of Mars exploration.
Research Focus
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