Dr. Ben Bussey Joins Intuitive Machines as Chief Scientist

Intuitive Machines has appointed Dr. Ben Bussey, Ph.D., as Chief Scientist as of Sep 6, 2022, ahead of the Company’s first of four planned lunar missions.

“After more than 25 years of studying the lunar poles, the Moon still presents new knowledge to be gained for the progress of humanity.”

Dr. Ben Bussey.

Dr. Bussey will be responsible for interacting with the international science community to enable collaborations for exploring the Moon utilizing Intuitive Machines’ landers and lunar data relay satellites. He will also play a leading role in working to maximize the scientific return of Intuitive Machines’ lunar payloads. The appointment comes as Intuitive Machines prepares for the final assembly and integration of its lunar lander, Nova-C, which will take NASA payloads to the Moon to help lay the foundation for human missions.

“Dr. Bussey is a seasoned leader with an unmatched dedication to space exploration,” said Intuitive Machines’ President and CEO Steve Altemus. “His expertise in remote sensing of planet surfaces, particularly the Moon, will strengthen our position as a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company.”

Dr. Ben Bussey Brings NASA Pedigree to the Company

Dr. Ben Bussey earned his BA in Physics from Oxford University and a Ph.D. in Planetary Geology at University College London before moving to the United States. He joined Intuitive Machines after spending more than 20 years at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (“JHU/APL”).

While at JHU/APL, he gained both science and mission experience, including by being the Principal Investigator of two multi-institution research teams that considered the exploration and scientific potential of the lunar poles. He was the Principal Investigator of the Mini-RF radar instrument on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Deputy Principal Investigator on the Mini-RF radar instrument on India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission. These instruments acquired the first radar data of the lunar poles and far side of the Moon. His most recent role at JHU/APL was as the team lead supporting NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative.

“After more than 25 years of studying the lunar poles, the Moon still presents new knowledge to be gained for the progress of humanity,” said Dr. Bussey. “Intuitive Machines’ team is leading a wave of lunar exploration that will define a generation, and I’m excited to reinforce the company’s position as a leader in space exploration.” Dr. Ben Bussey spent five years at NASA Headquarters supporting lunar activities for multiple mission directorates. His roles included being the Acting Deputy Associate Administrator of Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and, before that, the Chief Exploration Scientist in NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. His research is focused on the lunar poles, producing the first quantitative illumination maps of the polar regions. He co-authored the Clementine Atlas of the Moon.

(Source: Intuitive Machines news release. Images provided and from file)