Ron Mink
Papers
1
Total Citations
10
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Ron Mink is a key figure in planetary science and space mission operations, best known for his contributions to NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, which successfully collected a sample from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. His work centers on mission design, spacecraft navigation, and the intricate choreography of touch-and-go (TAG) sample collection procedures. Dr. Mink’s most cited paper, “OSIRIS-REx Touch-and-Go (TAG) Mission Design for Asteroid Sample Collection” (2014, 10 citations), laid critical groundwork for the mission’s complex trajectory and sampling strategy, enabling the first U.S. asteroid sample return. Beyond this flagship achievement, his research has advanced our understanding of small-body proximity operations and autonomous navigation in low-gravity environments. With a career spanning roles at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Dr. Mink has been instrumental in translating theoretical mission designs into real-world success. His work continues to inspire students and researchers in planetary defense, resource utilization, and deep-space exploration.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1OSIRIS-REx Touch-and-Go (TAG) Mission Design for Asteroid Sample Collection10 citations · 2014