Hunter Waite
Co-Investigator, MASPEX-Europa Investigation for Europa Clipper - Southwest Research Institute
University of Alabama
B.S. Physics
University of Michigan
M.S. Atmospheric Science
University of Michigan
Ph.D. Atmospheric Science
I grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and I received my Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Now I live and work in San Antonio, Texas.
Back in the 1960s, my dad worked on Werhner Von Braun's Advanced Planning Staff. One Saturday my dad had to go into the office to work on a presentation from Dr. Von Braun. My brother and I went with him. My dad took the materials into Von Braun's office and when he did he told us we could sit in his chair for a minute. What inspiration! My dad immediately gave my brother and me copies of Dr. Von Braun's popular books and the rest is history.
Inspiration from my dad, especially going to all the great launches – the first Moon launch, the Skylab Launch from the VIP vehicle assembly building viewing stand, and the first shuttle launch.
My dad.
I build mass spectrometers for space applications, operate them in flight, and analyze and report the data.
The Cassini launch was very special – talking with the press at the VIP site.
Putting MASPEX on the Europa Clipper spacecraft and returning with MASPEX to Enceladus. [MASPEX will study gases in Europa’s faint atmosphere for clues about the moon’s surface, its suspected subsurface ocean, and how the ocean and surface exchange material.]
Get lots of good chemistry, physics, and math background in college.
I hike and bike.
Planetary science is a global profession.