Ali Bramson, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences in Purdue University's College of Science, holds a land-based mobile radar system. Bramson is focused on locating subsurface ice deposits on Mars and the moon for climate research and as a resource for future habitats. (Purdue University photo/Kelsey Lefever)
Purdue scientist extending her search for large subsurface ice deposits to the moon
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — To survive on other planets, water is, of course, critical. We need it to drink, sustain crops and even create rocket fuel.
But on spaceflights, checked luggage is exorbitantly expensive. Anything heavy, especially liquids like water, is bulky and costly to haul by rocket, even to our closest interplanetary neighbors. The best plan, then, is to find water at the spacecraft's destination.
Purdue University planetary scientist Ali Bramson's research is laying the foundation for future extraterrestrial exploration. She is focused on finding ice deposits beneath the barren surfaces of the moon and Mars, providing a buried resource important for future human habitats and even space travel itself. Subsurface ice also is a compelling target for astrobiology, climatology and geology research.
