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About

Dr. Robert Hodyss is a leading figure in planetary science and astrobiology, whose work is critical to the search for life beyond Earth. His research focuses on three key areas: the development of advanced in-situ instruments for planetary exploration, the physics of hypervelocity impacts, and the mechanical behavior of icy planetary surfaces. Dr. Hodyss made a monumental contribution as a Co-Investigator on the **PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry)** instrument, a micro-focus X-ray fluorescence spectrometer aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover. This highly cited work (135 citations) is revolutionizing our understanding of Martian geochemistry by providing fine-scale elemental mapping. He has also pioneered the study of **hypervelocity sampling** (41 citations), investigating how fragile biosignatures fragment during high-speed impacts—a fundamental challenge for missions to Enceladus. Additionally, his discrete element modeling of **planetary ice analogs** (5 citations) provides crucial data for future robotic landers on icy Ocean Worlds like Europa. Dr. Hodyss’s unique blend of experimental physics and instrument engineering is directly enabling the next generation of space missions aimed at answering humanity’s deepest question: Are we alone?