Louise M. Prockter Honored with Masursky Award

Louise M. Prockter, Director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), operated by Universities Space Research Association (USRA) for NASA, has been selected to receive the prestigious Harold Masursky Award for meritorious service to planetary science by the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS).

The Masursky Award was established by the DPS to recognize and honor individuals who have rendered outstanding service to planetary science and exploration through engineering, managerial, programmatic, or public service activities. Named after the famous American geologist and astronomer Harold Masursky, it is awarded annually or less frequently for accomplishments outside the normal work duties of the nominee. Previous recipients have included notables such as Carl Sagan.

Dr. Nicholas White, Senior Vice President, Science, Universities Space Research Association, said, “Congratulations to Louise for this well-deserved and prestigious award recognizing her unselfish service to the planetary science community.”

Internationally recognized in planetary science research, Louise Prockter has been a leader in NASA mission science development, operations, and management. Prior to her current position, she held leadership roles at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (Science Branch Space Sector) and at the Planetary Exploration Group. She has served on numerous panels for the National Academy of Sciences and NASA including the Space Studies Board and the Planetary Decadal Survey for 2013-2022, “Vision and Voyages,” and she is currently co-chair of the “Vision and Voyages” mid-term review.

The Masursky award, which consists of a certificate and cash, will be presented at the DPS annual meeting in Provo, Utah, in October 2017.