Christine M. Hartzell
Minta Martin Professor
Affiliate, Department of Astronomy
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2012
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008
BACKGROUND
Christine Hartzell received her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2012. Her thesis topic was electrostatic dust motion near the surface of asteroids and the Moon. After completing her Ph.D., she was a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Keck Institute for Space Studies at the California Institute of Technology, where she studied granular media. She received her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2008. Her research focuses on dust motion on airless bodies for the purpose of understanding the evolution of these bodies and improving the design of spacecraft to explore them.
HONORS AND AWARDS
- NASA Planetary Science Division Early Career Award
- Asteroid 9319 named "Hartzell" in recognition of contributions to asteroid science
- Keck Institute for Space Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship
- NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship
- Amelia Earhart Fellowship
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- American Astronautical Society (AAS) Division for Planetary Science (DPS)
- American Geophysical Union (AGU)
- Planetary science
- Orbital mechanics
- Plasma physics
- Granular mechanics
- Spacecraft design
- ENAE 404: Space Flight Dynamics
- ENAE 601: Astrodynamics
SELECT REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
- A. Truitt and C. Hartzell, “3D Kadomtsev-Petviashvili Damped Forced Ion Acoustic Solitary Waves from Orbital Debris”, J. of Spacecraft and Rockets, 2020, https://doi.org/10.2514/1.A34805.
- D.S. Lauretta, C.W. Hergenrother, C.M. Hartzell (author #27 of 58) et al. “Episodes of Particle Ejection from the Surface of the Active Asteroid (101955) Bennu”, Science. 2019. Vol 366, eaay3544. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aay3544
- D. Carter and C. Hartzell “Effect of Mixture Properties on Size-Dependent Charging of Same-Material Dielectric Grains”, J. Electrostatics. 2020. Vol 107, 103475, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elstat.2020.103475.
- C.M. Hartzell, “Dynamics of 2D Electrostatic Dust Levitation at Asteroids”, Icarus. 2019. Vol 333, pp. 234-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2019.05.013
- Hartzell, X. Wang, D. Scheeres, M. Horanyi. “Experimental Demonstration of the Role of Cohesion in Electrostatic Dust Lofting” Geophysical Research Letters. 2013. Vol 40, doi: 10.1002/grl.50230.
- Hartzell, D. Scheeres. “Dynamics of Levitating Dust Particles Near Asteroids and the Moon” Journal of Geophysical Research. 2013. Vol 118, pp 116-125.
UMD’s New ASTRA Center Announces Seed Grants
Awards support projects on new technologies and scientific instruments for spacecraft.
New Space Research Center Launched at UMD
ASTRA, led by Associate Professor Christine Hartzell, will bring together researchers from across the university to tackle a wide range of projects related to space.
A “Lint Roller” for Moon Dust
UMD researchers are creating a portable device that astronauts can use to get rid of clingy moon dust.
Hartzell Selected for MMX Science Team
UMD professor will analyze data obtained from the first-ever rover to be deployed on a Martian moon.
UMD Researchers Help Measure DART’s Success
Findings suggest asteroids can be deflected successfully through kinetic impact.
UMD Researchers: DART Probe an Initial Step in Planetary Defense
Mission tests feasibility of asteroid redirection, provides first up-close glimpse of binary system.
UMD Researcher Helps Unlock Secrets of Bennu
Yun Zhang’s study sheds new light on the asteroid's interior and its structural evolution.
South Pole Defense
Engineering student Thomas Leps completes Ph.D. while working as satcom engineer at South Pole.
Hartzell Mission Scientist for NASA SIMPLEx Janus Mission
Mission will send twin small satellites on deep space journey to study two binary asteroids.
Unraveling the Mysteries of Asteroids
Assistant Professor Christine Hartzell is a member of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Team exploring Asteroid Bennu.
Dust in Space
Microgravity mysteries prompt creative thinking for spacecraft design.
UMD Engineer Selected for Next Phase of Small Spacecraft Mission
Christine Hartzell is the mission scientist on one of three finalist missions selected by NASA for future small satellites.
Four Aerospace Students Receive Society of Satellite Professionals International Scholarships
Frizzell, Kaptui Sipowa, McCullum and Shannon receive awards to support research efforts.
Assistant Professor Christine Hartzell’s Research Will Help Develop Better Vehicles for Space Exploration
Understanding how the surface materials of asteroids behave is critical to the future development of spacecraft and spacesuits.
Two UMD Faculty Receive NASA Early Stage Innovations Awards
Aerospace Engineering professors Hartzell and Sedwick receive NASA awards to foster high priority space technology.
Hartzell Receives Astronomical Honor
Main belt asteroid named after Aerospace Engineering's Assistant Professor Christine Hartzell.