We study habitability and potential biosignatures across a wide variety of bodies in the Universe, ranging from early Earth to exoplanets. Our work includes learning about the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, biosignature preservation in the geologic record, astronomical life detection techniques, the history of habitable environments across the Solar System, and the relationship between planetary habitability and stellar properties.
Faculty: Borlina, Horgan, Olson, Pearce
We use laboratory experiments and computer simulations to study cloud formation and atmospheric evolution on a range of planets. We also analyze geological records in order to understand what they teach us about climate history on Earth, Mars, and beyond.
Faculty: A. Johnson, Olson, Pearce, Tremblay
We investigate the evolution of planetary bodies by combining geochemical measurements, experimental techniques, petrology, and thermodynamic modeling. We integrate laboratory studies and theory with spacecraft data, sample return missions, and instrument development efforts supporting human and robotic planetary exploration.
Faculty: Horgan, K. Prissel, T. Prissel, Thompson, Tremblay, Wiens
We study the interiors, geodynamics, tectonics, thermal evolution, and impact processes across the solid bodies of the Solar System using data returned from spacecraft missions and sophisticated numerical models.
Faculty: Borlina, Bramson, Freed, B. Johnson, K. Prissel, T. Prissel, Sori
We study the mineralogical, morphological, and tectonic evolution of planetary surfaces using remote sensing analysis, field and laboratory analog studies, and computational methods to understand the processes and environments that shape the landscapes of planets.
Faculty: Bramson, Horgan, B. Johnson, Minton, K. Prissel, T. Prissel, Sori, Thompson, Tremblay
We use state-of-the-art laboratory experiments to analyze extraterrestrial samples, including meteorites, Moon rocks returned by Apollo astronauts, and materials collected from asteroids. Our techniques allow us to study the physical and chemical evolution of the surface of the Earth and other planets and moons.
Faculty: Borlina, K. Prissel, T. Prissel, Thompson, Tremblay
We use observations of populations of Solar System objects and their orbits, combined with computer simulations, to study the formation and evolution of planetary and satellite systems to understand how our Solar System and others developed through time.
Faculty: Minton
We have been and are continuing to be involved with NASA and international spacecraft missions, including MESSENGER, Hayabusa2, OSIRIS-REx, GRAIL, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers, Mars Odyssey, Dawn, and more. We are also active in planning the next generation of robotic spacecraft missions, human exploration, and astronomical observatories.
Faculty: All
Keys to future human exploration, past planetary conditions hide under surface of Moon, Mars
08-05-2026
Purdue scientist searching underground for resources to shape future crewed missions.
Dinosaur-killing asteroid also created a dust cloud that insulated Earth, ‘charbroiling’ Cretaceous creatures
07-29-2026
Planetary scientists Brandon Johnson and Alexandria Johnson studied the asteroid that struck Earth 66 million years ago, killing most of the dinosaurs. They discovered the impact swathed the planet in an insulating dust cloud that caused planetwide spontaneous combustion, atmospheric contamination and population collapse in any species that couldn’t take shelter.
Space news: Tiny moon explorers, a debate about the expanding universe, and more
06-23-2026
NPR — In this space news roundup, Berly McCoy and Regina Barber of NPR's Short Wave talk about tiny autonomous "transformers" that can explore the moon, a debate about the expanding universe, and more. EAPS's Roger Wiens was interviewed in this podcast.
Lunar Magma Ocean Hypothesis May Get First Direct Test at Artemis IV South Pole Landing Site
06-23-2026
Tech Times — A pair of peer-reviewed studies announced today by researchers at Southwest Research Institute reveal that the Moon's largest and oldest impact crater was carved by a protoplanet-sized object striking from the north — and that the collision scattered deep lunar mantle rock precisely where NASA plans to land the first Artemis astronauts in 2028. EAPS Research Scientist Shigeru Wakita was quoted in the article.
Dinosaur-killing asteroid may have helped create a long-lived underground home for life
06-10-2026
The asteroid that ended the age of dinosaurs also created something unexpected deep beneath the surface. A warm, water-rich environment that may have lasted for millions of years and could offer clues about where life might arise on Earth and other planets. EAPS's Marissa Tremblay was a part of the research team.
Perseverance rover finds strange rocks on Mars
06-09-2026
The Oklahoman — Perhaps you have seen videos or pictures of rocks very carefully stacked as an artistic work. They may even look impossibly balanced. Or you may have seen so-called balancing rocks, with one huge boulder precariously sitting on a tiny point on top of another large boulder. These terrestrial balancing boulders weren’t created by humans, but rather by wind and water erosion. Athanasios Klidaras, a PhD student in planetary science at Purdue University, was quoted in the article.
NASA declares MAVEN, its Mars atmosphere orbiter, dead
06-08-2026
ScienceNews — A veteran spacecraft has sniffed the Martian atmosphere for the last time. More than a decade after the MAVEN orbiter arrived at Mars and six months after it unexpectedly went quiet, NASA has officially declared the mission over. EAPS's Briony Horgan was quoted in the article.
Meteorite collection gives Purdue students a hands-on path to planetary science
05-28-2026
Undergraduate EAPS researchers Trent Sample, Benjamin Kenworthy and Brianna Petruccelli are studying meteorite samples from a collection on loan to EAPS from Purdue alumni and donors Paul and Florence Stahura. The students are learning how planetary scientists classify meteorites and use them to better understand the earliest history of the solar system.