Sue Smrekar

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Sue Smrekar is a pioneering planetary scientist whose research focuses on the interior structure and thermal evolution of terrestrial planets, particularly Mars and Venus. As a key figure in NASA’s InSight mission, she played a central role in developing and operating the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP³), a groundbreaking experiment designed to measure Mars’ internal heat flow and reveal the planet’s thermal history. Her work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of planetary formation, volcanism, and tectonics. With over 200 published papers and thousands of citations, Smrekar’s contributions have shaped modern planetary geophysics. Notably, she has also led studies of Venus’s coronae and rift zones, challenging long-held assumptions about the planet’s geological activity. Her leadership on the InSight mission—the first to deploy a seismometer and heat probe on Mars—has provided unprecedented data on Martian crust, mantle, and core structure. Smrekar’s research continues to inspire students and researchers, bridging the gap between planetary science and geophysics to unravel the mysteries of rocky worlds.