Stefano Boccelli

I am currently a postdoc in the Planetary Magnetospheres Lab, code 695. My background is in rarefied gas dynamics / low-temperature plasmas, with a focus on non-equilibrium fluid models.

Presently I am working on two projects, using Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and fluid dynamic (CFD) tools:

1. The numerical simulation of possible water-vapor plumes on Jupiter's moon, Europa. These plumes are expected to generate from Europa's sub-surface liquid-water ocean-or from water inclusions within Europa's ice shell-and to expand in the atmosphere-less environment up to hundreds of kilometers above the surface;
2. Characterizing the impact of anthropogenic activities (associated with human or robotic exploration) on the lunar environment. These include quantifying the effect of outgassing from the lander and the surface contamination associated with propulsion system plumes.

• BSc and MSc in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
• Research Master (ex Diploma Course) in fluid dynamics, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI), Belgium
• PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Politecnico di Milano & Collaborative PhD at VKI.