Expand sub-menus

Kelsey Evans Young

Photo of KELSEY YOUNG

Kelsey Evans Young

  • RESEARCH AST, PLANETARY STUDIES
  • 301.614.6749
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 698
  • Greenbelt , MD 20771
  • Employer: NASA

    • Brief Bio

     Kelsey Young’s research focuses on the integration of science into human exploration. Specifically, Young investigates the science questions, tools and instruments, and operational concepts for the exploration of other planetary surfaces. She conducts fieldwork in both impact cratered and volcanic terrains, and evaluates both of these dominant Solar System processes. Young investigates the incorporation of handheld and field portable instruments and technologies into lunar and martian exploration. She conducts research in a number of analog environments, including impact craters, volcanoes, and underwater locations, to simulate a variety of aspects of human space exploration. 

    Research Interests

    Incorporation of science into human spaceflight

    Young works to integrate science priorities into the human exploration of other planetary surfaces. She works with the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) community to develop tools and instruments for astronauts to use to collect samples and conduct in situ analyses and to develop concepts of operations for performing scientific work on the Moon, Mars, and small bodies.

    Analog field work investigating surface processes on other planets

    Young conducts fieldwork in a number of analog environments, including but not limited to Hawaii, Iceland, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Canada, and more. Young studies processes that shape other planetary surfaces, predominantly volcanology and impact cratering.

    Young is the Co-Lead of GIFT, or the Goddard Instrument Field Team, a team based out of GSFC that uses handheld and field portable instruments in analog environments. GIFT runs field campaigns in analog sites across the globe.

    Development of handheld instruments for space exploration

    Young's research focuses on the uses and implications of field portable and handheld instruments in the field, both terrestrial and in planetary surface exploration. Her research examines the ideal instrument suites to answer relevant Solar System science questions as well as the operational implications of incorporating these high resolution analytical technologies into the crewed exploration of other planetary bodies.

    Exploration technology and operational field tests

    Young serves on the leadership team for several integrated operational field tests run by NASA. She is the Science Lead for both NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations) and NXT (Neoteric Exploration Technologies). She also Co-Leads the Science Operations team for NEEMO and has served as a submersible pilot for NXT.

    Young is a Theme Lead for two SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Instutite) teams, the RISE2 and GEODES teams*. RISE2 involves testing the incorporation of handheld and field portable instruments on human surface exploration timelines and planning. GEODES involves using geophysical instrumentation in human exploration relevant analog environments.

    *RISE2: Remote, In Situ and Synchrotron Studies for Science and Exploration 2 (PI: T. Glotch, Stony Brook)

    GEODES: Geophysical Exploration Of the Dynamics and Evolution of the Solar System (PI: N. Schmerr, UMD)

    Young is the Principal Investigator of two NASA-funded PSTAR grants, the TubeX project and the SHyRE project.

    TubeX aims to develop an exploration strategy for lava tubes on the Earth, the Moon, and Mars.

    SHyRE (Scientific Hybrid Reality Environments) is creating a high scientific fidelity Hybrid Reality (HR) environment based off a lava flow in Hawaii. This HR environment will be used to advance operational concepts for using field portable instruments.

    Young was a member of the Science Team and a crewmember for NASA's Desert RATS (Research and Technology Studies) analog mission.

    Studies of impact craters and volcanology

    Young studies impact cratering and volcanology, two dominant surface processes that shape many Solar System bodies. She evaluates lava flow emplacement and modification through a combination of fieldwork and field and laboratory-based geochemistry. She also investigates the bombardment history of the inner Solar System and the impact cratering process by completing fieldwork at terrestrial impact structures and conducting laboratory work on terrestrial and lunar impact samples.

    Astronaut Training

    Young serves as one of the lead trainers for Earth and Planetary Science training for NASA Astronauts. Training includes both classroom and field-based lessons at NASA JSC and various analog environments.

    Positions/Employment

    4/2018 - Present

    Research Space Scientist

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
    8/2016 - 4/2018

    Exploration Scientist

    Jacobs/UTEP at NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA JSC
    7/2014 - 8/2016

    Postdoctoral Research Associate

    CRESST/University of Maryland, College Park, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Planetary Geodynamics Laboratory
    7/2013 - 5/2014

    Graduate Student Research Associate

    Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration  
    7/2010 - 7/2013

    NASA Graduate Student Research Fellow

    Arizona State University/NASA Johnson Space Center, School of Earth and Space Exploration
    8/2009 - 7/2010

    Graduate Student Research Associate

    Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration  

    Education

    2014 - PhD – Geological Sciences, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

    2012 – M.S. – Geological Sciences, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

    2009 – B.S. – Geological Sciences, Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Geosciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN

    Professional Service

    Sept-Nov 2020 Artemis III Science Definition Team

    2020 - Present Organizing Committee and Session Chair, Lunar Surface Science Workshop

    2018 - Present   Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) Executive Committee, Human Exploration Chair

    2018 - Present   NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Colloquium Committee

    Session Chair at Numerous Scientific Meetings (AGU, LPSC, GSA, NASA Exploration Science Forum, etc.)

    Section Co-Lead, New Views of the Moon II Book Volume, Future Lunar Exploration

    Awards

    Fellowships:


    NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) Fellowship – Full funding for three years of graduate work – 2010-2013


    Science Foundation of Arizona Fellowship – Funding for half-year of graduate work, awarded for K-12 Outreach – 2009-2010


    Diversity Across the Curriculum Doctoral Enrichment Fellowship – Funding for half-year of graduate work – 2009-2010


    University Graduate Fellowship – Partial graduate funding – August 2009


    Awards:


    NASA Early Career Achievement Medal - 2020

    Wiley-Blackwell Award – Given for one of four best student oral presentations at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society


    Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) Career Development Award – Support for the 2012 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference


    School of Earth and Space Exploration Merit Award – Spring 2011


    NASA Group Achievement Award: Awarded to the 2010 Desert-RATS Science Team – Awarded 2011


    Best Mapper Award – Boise State University Summer 2008 Field Camp

    Other Professional Information

    Current Positions and Relevant Experience:

    Co-Lead of the Goddard Instrument Field Team

    Theme Lead and Field Lead, RISE2 SSERVI Team

    Theme Lead, GEODES SSERVI Team

    Science Lead and Mission Management Team, NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) Project

    Core Team Member and Trainer, NASA Astronaut Training Leadership Team

    Co-Investigator, Heimdall Instrument Team (PI A. Yingst)

    Principal Investigator, SHyRE PSTAR Team (Scientific Hybrid Reality Environments)

    Principal Investigator, TubeX PSTAR Team


    Job-Related Training:

    2019  NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) Wilderness First Aid

    2019  NOLS CPR and AED

    2019  American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, and CPR

    2017  NOLS Leadership and Team Skills backpacking course, Wind River Range, Wyoming


    Invited Presentations:

    2017  Invited Presentation, Library of Congress, Washington, DC

    2017  Invited Speaker and Panelist, Robert H. Goddard Memorial Symposium, “Exploration Telepresence”

    2017  Keynote Speaker, University of Texas, El Paso’s Annual Geology Department Colloquium

    2017  Poster, Invitation-only Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop, “Developing Science Operations Concepts for the Future of Planetary Surface Exploration”

    2016  Invited Presentation, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, “Preparing for the Next Generation of Crewed Planetary Surface Exploration: Incorporating Field Portable Technology”

    2016  Invited Presentation,GSFC Solar System Exploration Division Director’s Seminar

    2015  Invited Presentation, Franklin & Marshall College

    2015  Invited Presentation, Stony Brook University

    2015  Invited Presentation, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

    2014  Invited Presentation, Lunar and Planetary Institute


    Outreach Experience

    Speaker on numerous TV networks, Supermoon event on 4/7/2020

    Invited Speaker on NASA Chief Scientist Jim Green's 'Gravity Assist' podcast, 2019

    TV shots for TV and Radio interviews for Apollo 50th Anniversary, 2019

    Featured Speaker on inaugural episode of NASA Science Live, airing on NASA TV and NASA's YouTube and Facebook channels, 2019

    Invited panelist, GeekGirlCon, Careers at NASA Panel, 2018

    Featured speaker at NASA's Solar Eclipse Event at Homestead National Monument, NE, 2017


    Field Experience

    Field Lead in Hawaii, California, New Mexico

    Group Lead in Icelandic Highlands

    Fieldwork in remote Canada (Haughton, Mistastin Lake, and West Clearwater impact structures)

    Crewmember, NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS) Analog Mission, 2010

    Submersible Pilot and Science Team Lead, NASA Neoteric eXploration Technologies (NXT) Analog Mission, 2019

    NASA Working Diver, NASA NEEMO Project

     

    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Runyon, K. D., D. P. Moriarty, B. W. Denevi, et al. B. T. Greenhagen, G. Morgan, K. E. Young, B. A. Cohen, C. H. van de Bogert, H. Hiesinger, and L. M. Jozwiak. 2020. "Impact Melt Facies in the Moon's Crisium Basin: Identifying, Characterizing, and Future Radiogenic Dating." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, [10.1029/2019JE006024]

    Young, K. E., J. E. Bleacher, A. D. Rogers, et al. H. H. Schmitt, A. C. McAdam, W. B. Garry, P. L. Whelley, S. P. Scheidt, G. Ito, C. A. Knudson, T. G. Graff, L. V. Bleacher, N. Whelley, C. A. Evans, J. M. Hurtado, and T. D. Glotch. 2018. "The Incorporation of Field Portable Instrumentation Into Human Planetary Surface Exploration." Earth and Space Science, 5: 24 [10.1029/2018ea000378]

    Ito, G., A. D. Rogers, K. E. Young, et al. J. E. Bleacher, C. S. Edwards, J. Hinrichs, C. I. Honniball, P. G. Lucey, D. Piquero, B. Wolfe, and T. D. Glotch. 2018. "Incorporation of Portable Infrared Spectral Imaging Into Planetary Geological Field Work: Analog Studies at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico." Earth and Space Science, 5: 21 [10.1029/2018ea000375]

    Yant*, M., K. E. Young, A. D. Rogers, et al. A. C. McAdam, J. E. Bleacher, J. L. Bishop, and S. A. Mertzman. 2018. "Visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared spectral characterization of Hawaiian fumarolic alteration near Kilauea's December 1974 flow: Implications for spectral discrimination of alteration environments on Mars." American Mineralogist, 103 (1): 11-25 [10.2138/am-2018-6116]

    Young, K. E., C. A. Evans, K. V. Hodges, J. E. Bleacher, and T. G. Graff. 2016. "A review of the handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer as a tool for field geologic investigations on Earth and in planetary surface exploration." Applied Geochemistry, 72: 77-87 [10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.07.003]

    Cohen, B. A., D. S. Lim, K. E. Young, et al. A. Brunner, R. C. Elphic, A. Horne, M. C. Kerrigan, G. O. Osinski, J. R. Skok, S. W. Squyres, D. Saint-Jacques, and J. L. Heldmann. 2015. "Pre-Mission Input Requirements to Enable Successful Sample Collection by a Remote Field/EVA Team." Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments, 12 (1): [10.7771/2327-2937.1071]

    Bleacher, J. E., J. J. Hurtado, K. E. Young, J. J. Rice, and W. B. Garry. 2013. "The effect of different operations modes on science capabilities during the 2010 Desert RATS test: Insights from the geologist crewmembers." Acta Astronautica, 90 (2): 356-366 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.018]

    Hurtado, J. J., K. Young, J. E. Bleacher, W. B. Garry, and J. J. Rice. 2013. "Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers." Acta Astronautica, 90 (2): 344-355 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.015]

    Young, K., J. J. Hurtado, J. E. Bleacher, et al. W. B. Garry, S. Bleisath, J. Buffington, and J. J. Rice. 2013. "Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers." Acta Astronautica, 90 (2): 332-343 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.016]

    Young, K. E., M. C. van Soest, K. V. Hodges, et al. E. B. Watson, B. A. Adams, and P. Lee. 2013. "Impact thermochronology and the age of Haughton impact structure, Canada." Geophysical Research Letters, 40: 3836-3840 [doi:10.1002/grl.50745]

    Eppler, D., B. Adams, D. Archer, et al. G. Baiden, A. Brown, W. Carey, B. A. Cohen, C. Condit, C. Evans, C. Fortezzo, W. B. Garry, T. Graff, J. Gruener, J. Heldmann, K. Hodges, F. Horz, J. Hurtado, B. Hynek, P. Isaacson, C. Juranek, K. Klaus, D. Kring, N. Lanza, S. Lederer, G. Lofgren, M. Marinova, L. May, J. Meyer, D. Ming, B. Monteleone, C. Morisset, S. Noble, E. Rampe, J. Rice, J. Schutt, J. Skinner, C. M. Tewksbury-Christle, B. J. Tewksbury, A. Vaughan, A. Yingst, and K. Young. 2013. "Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS) 2010 science operations: Operational approaches and lessons learned for managing science during human planetary surface missions." Acta Astronautica, 90: 224-241 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.03.009]

    Ashley, J. W., M. S. Robinson, B. R. Hawke, et al. C. van der Bogert, H. Hiesinger, S. Hiroyuki, E. J. Speyerer, A. C. Enns, R. V. Wagner, K. E. Young, and K. N. Burns. 2012. "Geology of the King crater region: New insights into impact melt dynamics on the Moon." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets, 117 (E00H29): [10.1029/2011JE003990]

    Evans, C. A., M. J. Calaway, M. S. Bell, and K. E. Young. 2012. "GeoLab - A habitat-based laboratory for preliminary examination of geological samples." Acta Astronautica, 90 (2): 289-300 [10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.12.008]

    Brief Bio

     Kelsey Young’s research focuses on the integration of science into human exploration. Specifically, Young investigates the science questions, tools and instruments, and operational concepts for the exploration of other planetary surfaces. She conducts fieldwork in both impact cratered and volcanic terrains, and evaluates both of these dominant Solar System processes. Young investigates the incorporation of handheld and field portable instruments and technologies into lunar and martian exploration. She conducts research in a number of analog environments, including impact craters, volcanoes, and underwater locations, to simulate a variety of aspects of human space exploration. 

    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Runyon, K. D., D. P. Moriarty, B. W. Denevi, et al. B. T. Greenhagen, G. Morgan, K. E. Young, B. A. Cohen, C. H. van de Bogert, H. Hiesinger, and L. M. Jozwiak. 2020. "Impact Melt Facies in the Moon's Crisium Basin: Identifying, Characterizing, and Future Radiogenic Dating." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets [10.1029/2019JE006024]

    Young, K. E., J. E. Bleacher, A. D. Rogers, et al. H. H. Schmitt, A. C. McAdam, W. B. Garry, P. L. Whelley, S. P. Scheidt, G. Ito, C. A. Knudson, T. G. Graff, L. V. Bleacher, N. Whelley, C. A. Evans, J. M. Hurtado, and T. D. Glotch. 2018. "The Incorporation of Field Portable Instrumentation Into Human Planetary Surface Exploration." Earth and Space Science 5 24 [10.1029/2018ea000378]

    Ito, G., A. D. Rogers, K. E. Young, et al. J. E. Bleacher, C. S. Edwards, J. Hinrichs, C. I. Honniball, P. G. Lucey, D. Piquero, B. Wolfe, and T. D. Glotch. 2018. "Incorporation of Portable Infrared Spectral Imaging Into Planetary Geological Field Work: Analog Studies at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico." Earth and Space Science 5 21 [10.1029/2018ea000375]

    Yant*, M., K. E. Young, A. D. Rogers, et al. A. C. McAdam, J. E. Bleacher, J. L. Bishop, and S. A. Mertzman. 2018. "Visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared spectral characterization of Hawaiian fumarolic alteration near Kilauea's December 1974 flow: Implications for spectral discrimination of alteration environments on Mars." American Mineralogist 103 (1): 11-25 [10.2138/am-2018-6116]

    Young, K. E., C. A. Evans, K. V. Hodges, J. E. Bleacher, and T. G. Graff. 2016. "A review of the handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer as a tool for field geologic investigations on Earth and in planetary surface exploration." Applied Geochemistry 72 77-87 [10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.07.003]

    Cohen, B. A., D. S. Lim, K. E. Young, et al. A. Brunner, R. C. Elphic, A. Horne, M. C. Kerrigan, G. O. Osinski, J. R. Skok, S. W. Squyres, D. Saint-Jacques, and J. L. Heldmann. 2015. "Pre-Mission Input Requirements to Enable Successful Sample Collection by a Remote Field/EVA Team." Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments 12 (1): [10.7771/2327-2937.1071]

    Bleacher, J. E., J. J. Hurtado, K. E. Young, J. J. Rice, and W. B. Garry. 2013. "The effect of different operations modes on science capabilities during the 2010 Desert RATS test: Insights from the geologist crewmembers." Acta Astronautica 90 (2): 356-366 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.018]

    Hurtado, J. J., K. Young, J. E. Bleacher, W. B. Garry, and J. J. Rice. 2013. "Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers." Acta Astronautica 90 (2): 344-355 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.015]

    Young, K., J. J. Hurtado, J. E. Bleacher, et al. W. B. Garry, S. Bleisath, J. Buffington, and J. J. Rice. 2013. "Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers." Acta Astronautica 90 (2): 332-343 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.10.016]

    Young, K. E., M. C. van Soest, K. V. Hodges, et al. E. B. Watson, B. A. Adams, and P. Lee. 2013. "Impact thermochronology and the age of Haughton impact structure, Canada." Geophysical Research Letters 40 3836-3840 [doi:10.1002/grl.50745]

    Eppler, D., B. Adams, D. Archer, et al. G. Baiden, A. Brown, W. Carey, B. A. Cohen, C. Condit, C. Evans, C. Fortezzo, W. B. Garry, T. Graff, J. Gruener, J. Heldmann, K. Hodges, F. Horz, J. Hurtado, B. Hynek, P. Isaacson, C. Juranek, K. Klaus, D. Kring, N. Lanza, S. Lederer, G. Lofgren, M. Marinova, L. May, J. Meyer, D. Ming, B. Monteleone, C. Morisset, S. Noble, E. Rampe, J. Rice, J. Schutt, J. Skinner, C. M. Tewksbury-Christle, B. J. Tewksbury, A. Vaughan, A. Yingst, and K. Young. 2013. "Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS) 2010 science operations: Operational approaches and lessons learned for managing science during human planetary surface missions." Acta Astronautica 90 224-241 [DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.03.009]

    Ashley, J. W., M. S. Robinson, B. R. Hawke, et al. C. van der Bogert, H. Hiesinger, S. Hiroyuki, E. J. Speyerer, A. C. Enns, R. V. Wagner, K. E. Young, and K. N. Burns. 2012. "Geology of the King crater region: New insights into impact melt dynamics on the Moon." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets 117 (E00H29): [10.1029/2011JE003990]

    Evans, C. A., M. J. Calaway, M. S. Bell, and K. E. Young. 2012. "GeoLab - A habitat-based laboratory for preliminary examination of geological samples." Acta Astronautica 90 (2): 289-300 [10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.12.008]

                                                                                                                                                                                            
    NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    • NASA Official:
    • Curator:
    • Last Updated: 05/31/2023