Shannon Kian Zareh
Papers
1
Total Citations
19
H-Index
1
About
Shannon Kian Zareh is a pioneering figure in planetary science and small satellite mission development, whose work is fundamentally reshaping our understanding of the Moon. As the Principal Investigator of NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer mission—a highly competitive SIMPLEx-class satellite selected in 2019—Zareh leads a groundbreaking effort to map the form, abundance, and distribution of water on the lunar surface and decipher the Moon’s water cycle. This mission, detailed in their highly cited 2022 paper (19 citations), represents a paradigm shift toward using agile, low-cost small satellites for major planetary science goals. Zareh’s contributions extend beyond mission leadership to include innovative instrument design and data analysis techniques that enable high-resolution geological surveys from compact platforms. Their work has been recognized with NASA group achievement awards and has influenced the agency’s strategic direction for lunar exploration. With Lunar Trailblazer now in implementation for delivery, Zareh is poised to deliver transformative insights into lunar resources and geology, inspiring a new generation of scientists to think big—even with small spacecraft.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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