Cindy L. Young, planetary science lead at NASA’s Langley Research Center

Dr. Cindy L. Young is planetary science lead in the Science Directorate at NASA’s Langley Research Center and works on both Earth and planetary science research as well as instrument and mission concepts. Born in rural Appalachia, Young became the first person in her parents’ direct lineage to attend college classes at age 16, earning an Associate of Science degree at Young Harris College while completing her high school diploma.

She credits preceding family generations and teachers for opening opportunities. Young has participated in conceiving, maturing, and proposing nine concepts (six for planetary science and three for Earth science). She is Principal Investigator of Trutinor, a small-satellite concept to measure Earth’s radiation budget; lead scientist for ARCSTONE, a technology demonstration for high-accuracy lunar disk measurements; Deputy PI of CHARISMA, a space-telescope concept for planetary science; and Co-Investigator on NICEcube, a cubesat to observe nitric oxide cooling emissions.

She also received a NASA ROSES New Investigator award in Earth Science to extend the spectral range of the RObotic Lunar Observatory (ROLO) model to climate-relevant wavelengths.

Key Topics

Science, Cindy L. Young, Langley Research Center, Trutinor, Arcstone, Charisma