Jump to content

Peter Tsou: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m link added, grammar
m Removed redundant lanugage
 
(12 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Cite web |date=December 2014 |title=Astrobiology of Icy Worlds |url=https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/annual-reports/2014/jpl-icy-worlds/astrobiology-of-icy-worlds/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516190412/https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/annual-reports/2014/jpl-icy-worlds/astrobiology-of-icy-worlds/index.html |archive-date=2024-05-16 |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=astrobiology.nasa.gov}}
{{advert|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox scientist
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Peter Tsou
| name = Peter Tsou
Line 6: Line 6:
| birth_date =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
| citizenship = USA
| citizenship = [[United States]]
| fields =
| fields =
| workplaces = [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]]
| workplaces = [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]]
| alma_mater = [[University of California, Berkeley]] (BS, MS) <br> [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (PhD)
| alma_mater = [[University of California, Berkeley]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]], [[Master of Science|MS]]) <br> [[University of California, Los Angeles]] ([[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])
| thesis_title =
| thesis_title =
| thesis_year =
| thesis_year =
Line 18: Line 18:
}}
}}


'''Peter Tsou''' is a principal science staff member at the [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] (JPL) of the [[California Institute of Technology]], where he has worked for the past 34 years.<ref name="nasa-bio">{{cite web|url=http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/news/bio_ptsou.html |title=Bios - Dr. Peter Tsou |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2006-05-11}}</ref> Dr. Tsou's research is focused on using [[aerogel]] for [[space exploration]].<ref name="smc">{{Cite web |date=2011-06-13 |title=Intriguing Aerogel Display at SMC |url=http://www.smc.edu/forms/news.asp?Q=51&T=News&P=1 |access-date=2023-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184318/http://www.smc.edu/forms/news.asp?Q=51&T=News&P=1 |archive-date=2011-06-13 }}</ref>
'''Peter Tsou''' is a science staff member at the [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] (JPL) of the [[California Institute of Technology]].<ref name="nasa-bio">{{cite web|url=http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/news/bio_ptsou.html |title=Bios - Dr. Peter Tsou |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2006-05-11}}</ref> His research primarily centers around the utilization of [[aerogel]] in [[space exploration]].<ref name="smc">{{Cite web |date=2011-06-13 |title=Intriguing Aerogel Display at SMC |url=http://www.smc.edu/forms/news.asp?Q=51&T=News&P=1 |access-date=2023-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184318/http://www.smc.edu/forms/news.asp?Q=51&T=News&P=1 |archive-date=2011-06-13 }}</ref>


Tsou was the principal investigator (PI) for a number of [[Space Shuttle]] and [[Mir]] missions and was responsible for inventing the technique of intact capture of hypervelocity particles. He is known for his work involving the capture and return of cometary particles via NASA's [[Stardust (spacecraft)|Stardust]] mission as deputy PI.<ref name="jpl">{{cite web |title=Asteroids, Comets & Satellites: People - Peter Tsou |url=https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Tsou/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413122615/https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Tsou/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-04-13 |publisher=JPL Science}}</ref>
Tsou has served as the [[principal investigator]] (PI) for several missions conducted on the [[Space Shuttle]] and [[Mir]], during which he devised the method of intact capture for [[hypervelocity]] [[Particle|particles]]. He gained recognition for his involvement in the capture and retrieval of [[Comet|cometary]] particles through [[NASA]]'s Stardust mission, where he served as the deputy PI.<ref name="jpl">{{cite web |title=Asteroids, Comets & Satellites: People - Peter Tsou |url=https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Tsou/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413122615/https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/Tsou/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-04-13 |publisher=JPL Science}}</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
Tsou earned B.S. (1965) and M.S. (1966) in Electrical Engineering at the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. He received his Ph.D. Large Scale Engineering Systems from the [[University of California, Los Angeles]], in 1972.<ref name="jpl"/>
Tsou completed his undergraduate studies at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], where he obtained a [[Bachelor of Science|B.S. degree]] in [[electrical engineering]] in 1965, followed by an [[Master of Science|M.S. degree]] in the same field in 1966. In 1972, he received his [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in large-scale engineering systems from the [[University of California, Los Angeles]].<ref name="jpl"/>


==Career==
==Career==
[[File:NASAstar1.jpg|thumb|Dr. Peter Tsou, displaying Stardust sample tray during a press conference at Johnson Space Center. Credit-Nasa photo]]
[[File:NASAstar1.jpg|thumb|Dr. Peter Tsou, displaying Stardust sample tray during a press conference at [[Johnson Space Center]].]]
Since 1974, Dr. Tsou has worked at [[NASA]]'s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, located in [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena, CA]]. He is currently the Deputy Principal Investigator of STARDUST (1994–present). Dr. Tsou was a Principal Investigator for the MIR Sample Return Experiment (1994–1997), Spacehab II Sample Return Experiment, and Get Away Special Sample Return Experiment (1989–Present). He also was the STARDUST proposal manager (1992–1994), instrument definition manager (1984–1990), spacecraft system engineer (1982-1990), task manager for the Low-Cost Solar Array program (1975–1980), and a system engineer (1974–1975).<ref name="jpl" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shattering Arrival for Genesis |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/shattering-arrival-genesis |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=www.science.org |language=en}}</ref>
Since 1974, Tsou has been employed at NASA's [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] (JPL) in [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena, CA]]. Currently, he holds the position of Deputy Principal Investigator for the STARDUST mission, a role he has held since 1994. Tsou has also served as principal investigator for various projects, including the MIR Sample Return Experiment (1994–1997), the Spacehab II Sample Return Experiment, and the Get Away Special Sample Return Experiment (1989–present). He has held several managerial and engineering positions at JPL, including STARDUST proposal manager (1992–1994), instrument definition manager (1984–1990), spacecraft system engineer (1982–1990), task manager for the Low-Cost Solar Array program (1975–1980), and system engineer (1974–1975).<ref name="jpl" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shattering Arrival for Genesis |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/shattering-arrival-genesis |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=www.science.org |language=en}}</ref>


As of 2020, Tsou was working on two projects at NASA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NASA Astrobiology Institute {{!}} Peter Tsou |url=https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/directory/tsou-peter/index.html |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=astrobiology.nasa.gov}}</ref> He conducted research in the field of [[astrobiology]] of [[Ice planet|ice planets]] and their potential water-rich environments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2014 |title=Astrobiology of Icy Worlds |url=https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/annual-reports/2014/jpl-icy-worlds/astrobiology-of-icy-worlds/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516190412/https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/annual-reports/2014/jpl-icy-worlds/astrobiology-of-icy-worlds/index.html |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=astrobiology.nasa.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2013 |title=Habitability of Water-Rich Environments, Task 5: Evaluate the Habitability of Small Icy Satellites and Minor Planets |url=https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/annual-reports/2013/asu/habitability-of-water-rich-environments-task-5-evaluate-the-habitability-of-small-icy-satellites-and-minor-planets/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516190649/https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/annual-reports/2013/asu/habitability-of-water-rich-environments-task-5-evaluate-the-habitability-of-small-icy-satellites-and-minor-planets/index.html |archive-date=2024-05-16 |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=astrobiology.nasa.gov}}</ref>
Prior to his work at JPL, Dr. Tsou worked at The University of California, Los Angeles, as a project manager on the Climate Impact Assessment Program of the Supersonic Transport (1970–1974), and at TRW as a technical staff member (1966–1968).


==Research==
==Research==
His research interests have concentrated on achieving a return of [[Coma (cometary)|cometary]] sample. He invented the technique of intact capture of hypervelocity particles for missions such as [[Stardust (spacecraft)|Stardust]]. Along with scientists at [[Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory]], he helped create a lighter aerogel that was better suited for catching cometary particles.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.discover.com/issues/sep-03/features/featcomet/ |title=To Catch a Comet |author=Irion, Robert |date=October 2003 |publisher=Discover |access-date=2006-05-11 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20031119043720/https://www.discover.com/issues/sep-03/features/featcomet/ |archive-date=2003-11-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He helped introduce the use of aerogel as capture media and as a flight-qualified variable density material for space flight.
Dr. Tsou's research focus has primarily been on the retrieval of cometary samples. He is credited with inventing the method of capturing hypervelocity particles intact, which has been instrumental in missions such as [[Stardust (spacecraft)|Stardust]]. Collaborating with scientists from [[Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory]], he contributed to the development of a lighter [[aerogel]] specifically designed for capturing cometary particles.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.discover.com/issues/sep-03/features/featcomet/ |title=To Catch a Comet |author=Irion, Robert |date=October 2003 |publisher=Discover |access-date=2006-05-11 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20031119043720/https://www.discover.com/issues/sep-03/features/featcomet/ |archive-date=2003-11-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Additionally, he played a role in introducing [[aerogel]] as a flight-qualified variable [[density]] material and capture medium for space missions.


Dr. Tsou was responsible for inventing an integrated aerogel thermal-structural design for the [[Mars Pathfinder]] [[Sojourner (rover)|Sojourner rover]], a discovery for space thermal insulation.<ref name="Tsou, P. 2009">Tsou, P., “STARDUST: a Comet Coma Flyby Sample Return”, IEEE, 2009.</ref>
Furthermore, Dr. Tsou has made contributions to the field of space [[thermal insulation]] by inventing an integrated [[aerogel]] thermal-structural design for the [[Mars Pathfinder]] [[Sojourner (rover)|Sojourner rover]].<ref name="Tsou, P. 2009">Tsou, P., “STARDUST: a Comet Coma Flyby Sample Return”, IEEE, 2009.</ref>


His other research interests include the exobiological effects of bodies from other planets and ways to get samples of materials from other planets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Tsou Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search |url=https://patents.justia.com/inventor/peter-tsou |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=patents.justia.com}}</ref>
His research interests extend to investigating the potential exobiological effects of extraterrestrial bodies and exploring methods to retrieve samples of materials from other planets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Tsou Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search |url=https://patents.justia.com/inventor/peter-tsou |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=patents.justia.com}}</ref>


==Publications==
==Awards==
⚫
* 2000 NASA Patent: Large Field of View 3-D Hologram Display System<ref name="jpl" />
Dr. Tsou has authored and co-authored more than 60 technical papers. Some selected publications:
⚫
* 2000 [[NASA Group Achievement Award]] – STARDUST Project Team<ref name="jpl" />
⚫
* 1997 NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal<ref name="jpl" />
⚫
* 1996 JPL Inaugural Award for Excellence – Exceptional Technical Excellence<ref name="jpl" />
⚫
* 1985 NASA Group Achievement Award – Low-Cost Solar Array Project<ref name="jpl" />


== In Media ==
*Tsou, P., F. Giovane, J-C. Liou, R. Corsaro. "Large Area Dust Collection – on the International Space Station", 2007.
Peter Tsou has appeared on [[Television|TV]] twice as himself.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peter Tsou |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3308116/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Tsou, P., D. E. Brownlee, R. Glesias, C. P. Grigoropoulos, M. Weschler, "Cutting Silica Aerogel for Particle Extraction", 36th LPSC, 2307, 2005.
*Tsou, P., "Cosmic Dust Intact Capture Experiment", STAIF-99, 1999.
*Tsou, P., "Hypervelocity Capture of Meteoroids in Aerogel", ASPCS Vol 104, 237–242, 1996.
*Tsou, P., Albee A. L., "Comet Flyby Sample Return", AIAA-85-0465, 1985.


* [[Naked Science]] - Season 4, Episode 17: Birth of the Solar System (2007)
==Awards<ref name="jpl"/>==
* [[The Universe (TV series)|The Universe]] - Season 3, Episode 6: Deadly Comets and Meteors (2008)
⚫
* 2000 NASA Patent: Large Field of View 3-D Hologram Display System
⚫
* 2000 [[NASA Group Achievement Award]] – STARDUST Project Team
⚫
* 1997 NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
⚫
* 1996 JPL Inaugural Award for Excellence – Exceptional Technical Excellence
⚫
* 1985 NASA Group Achievement Award – Low-Cost Solar Array Project


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:19, 16 May 2024

"Astrobiology of Icy Worlds". astrobiology.nasa.gov. December 2014. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-05-16.

Peter Tsou
Peter Tsou with a sample of aerogel
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materUniversity of California, Berkeley (BS, MS)
University of California, Los Angeles (PhD)
Known forStardust mission
AwardsNASA Group Achievement Award
NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
Scientific career
InstitutionsJet Propulsion Laboratory

Peter Tsou is a science staff member at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of the California Institute of Technology.[1] His research primarily centers around the utilization of aerogel in space exploration.[2]

Tsou has served as the principal investigator (PI) for several missions conducted on the Space Shuttle and Mir, during which he devised the method of intact capture for hypervelocity particles. He gained recognition for his involvement in the capture and retrieval of cometary particles through NASA's Stardust mission, where he served as the deputy PI.[3]

Education

[edit]

Tsou completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he obtained a B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1965, followed by an M.S. degree in the same field in 1966. In 1972, he received his Ph.D. in large-scale engineering systems from the University of California, Los Angeles.[3]

Career

[edit]
Dr. Peter Tsou, displaying Stardust sample tray during a press conference at Johnson Space Center.

Since 1974, Tsou has been employed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. Currently, he holds the position of Deputy Principal Investigator for the STARDUST mission, a role he has held since 1994. Tsou has also served as principal investigator for various projects, including the MIR Sample Return Experiment (1994–1997), the Spacehab II Sample Return Experiment, and the Get Away Special Sample Return Experiment (1989–present). He has held several managerial and engineering positions at JPL, including STARDUST proposal manager (1992–1994), instrument definition manager (1984–1990), spacecraft system engineer (1982–1990), task manager for the Low-Cost Solar Array program (1975–1980), and system engineer (1974–1975).[3][4]

As of 2020, Tsou was working on two projects at NASA.[5] He conducted research in the field of astrobiology of ice planets and their potential water-rich environments.[6][7]

Research

[edit]

Dr. Tsou's research focus has primarily been on the retrieval of cometary samples. He is credited with inventing the method of capturing hypervelocity particles intact, which has been instrumental in missions such as Stardust. Collaborating with scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he contributed to the development of a lighter aerogel specifically designed for capturing cometary particles.[8] Additionally, he played a role in introducing aerogel as a flight-qualified variable density material and capture medium for space missions.

Furthermore, Dr. Tsou has made contributions to the field of space thermal insulation by inventing an integrated aerogel thermal-structural design for the Mars Pathfinder Sojourner rover.[9]

His research interests extend to investigating the potential exobiological effects of extraterrestrial bodies and exploring methods to retrieve samples of materials from other planets.[10]

Awards

[edit]
  • 2000 NASA Patent: Large Field of View 3-D Hologram Display System[3]
  • 2000 NASA Group Achievement Award – STARDUST Project Team[3]
  • 1997 NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal[3]
  • 1996 JPL Inaugural Award for Excellence – Exceptional Technical Excellence[3]
  • 1985 NASA Group Achievement Award – Low-Cost Solar Array Project[3]

In Media

[edit]

Peter Tsou has appeared on TV twice as himself.[11]

  • Naked Science - Season 4, Episode 17: Birth of the Solar System (2007)
  • The Universe - Season 3, Episode 6: Deadly Comets and Meteors (2008)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bios - Dr. Peter Tsou". NASA. Retrieved 2006-05-11.
  2. ^ "Intriguing Aerogel Display at SMC". 2011-06-13. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Asteroids, Comets & Satellites: People - Peter Tsou". JPL Science. Archived from the original on 2009-04-13.
  4. ^ "Shattering Arrival for Genesis". www.science.org. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  5. ^ "NASA Astrobiology Institute | Peter Tsou". astrobiology.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  6. ^ "Astrobiology of Icy Worlds". astrobiology.nasa.gov. December 2014. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  7. ^ "Habitability of Water-Rich Environments, Task 5: Evaluate the Habitability of Small Icy Satellites and Minor Planets". astrobiology.nasa.gov. August 2013. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  8. ^ Irion, Robert (October 2003). "To Catch a Comet". Discover. Archived from the original on 2003-11-19. Retrieved 2006-05-11.
  9. ^ Tsou, P., “STARDUST: a Comet Coma Flyby Sample Return”, IEEE, 2009.
  10. ^ "Peter Tsou Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search". patents.justia.com. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  11. ^ "Peter Tsou". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Peter_Tsou&oldid=1224183534"