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About

K. V. Hodges is a prominent planetary scientist and field geologist whose research sits at the intersection of human spaceflight, robotic systems, and lunar exploration. Working extensively through NASA-supported programs at Arizona State University and the University of Maryland, Hodges has been a leading voice in defining how humans and robots can collaborate most effectively during planetary surface missions. His most influential contribution — the concept of "robotic recon," or using robotic rovers as advance scouts before human extravehicular activity — has reshaped thinking about how to maximize science return during time-limited crewed missions, particularly to the Moon. With over 30 citations on his assessment of robotic reconnaissance alone, his work addresses a critical challenge: astronauts will be present on the lunar surface less than 10% of the time during early campaign phases, making intelligent robotic augmentation essential. Through field analogue simulations in desert environments and development of in-situ instrumentation such as XRF analysis tools tested against Apollo samples, Hodges has built a rigorous, evidence-based framework for next-generation exploration. His research on exploration telepresence further extends this vision toward remote scientific engagement, making him a foundational figure in future human-robotic planetary exploration strategy.