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About

N. Mangold is a leading planetary geologist whose research has fundamentally shaped our understanding of water and habitability on Mars, as well as the geological evolution of the Moon. His key contributions span the mineralogical mapping of ancient Martian terrains, the development and application of advanced remote-sensing instruments, and the innovative use of photogrammetry for lunar exploration. Mangold is perhaps best known for his pivotal role in the SuperCam instrument suite on NASA’s Perseverance rover, a sophisticated tool combining LIBS, Raman, and infrared spectroscopy that has revolutionized in-situ geochemical analysis on Mars. His highly cited 2020 paper on SuperCam’s body unit and combined system tests (322 citations) is a cornerstone reference for the mission. Earlier, his detailed mapping of the clay-rich unit at Mawrth Vallis (32 citations) provided critical context for a proposed Curiosity landing site, highlighting a region of immense astrobiological potential. Beyond Mars, Mangold has also applied photogrammetry and virtual reality to investigate lunar boulders at the Apollo 17 landing site (16 citations), demonstrating a versatile approach to planetary surface analysis. His work continues to drive forward the search for past life and the preparation for future sample return missions.