Research Portfolio

Discover Our Latest Research

Dr. Alex J. Evans investigates the deep-time evolution of planetary bodies while shaping the science strategies that guide space exploration. His research spans from the fiery birth of the Moon to data-driven advising on future missions—connecting scientific discovery with strategic outcomes.

Is Mining the Moon Now Worthwhile?
Is Mining the Moon Now Worthwhile?
The future of space exploration will be shaped not only by where we go, but by what we can use…
What We Know Now: Planet Venus
What We Know Now: Planet Venus
For a planet so similar to Earth in size and bulk composition, Venus remains a tectonic mystery. With its suffocating…
How is the Moon Magnetized?
How is the Moon Magnetized?
Magnetic fields don’t just happen. They’re born from the deep choreography of a planet’s interior—fluid motions, thermal gradients, structural boundaries—and,…
Deep Into Icy Worlds of the Outer Solar System
Deep Into Icy Worlds of the Outer Solar Syste…
Icy moons like Ganymede and Callisto often get overshadowed by their flashier rocky counterparts. But these worlds, cloaked in thick…
New Revelations: Fiery Origin of the Moon
New Revelations: Fiery Origin of the Moon
When we look up at the Moon, it’s easy to imagine it as a static, airless rock. But beneath that…
The New Search for Life Beyond Earth
The New Search for Life Beyond Earth
Kepler’s Legacy: A Galaxy Full of Rocky WorldsNASA’s Kepler mission revealed a stunning truth: small, rocky planets are everywhere. Many…
The Strange Case of a Metal World
The Strange Case of a Metal World
Asteroid 16 Psyche has long intrigued scientists as a possible exposed planetary core—a rare window into processes typically hidden deep…
Lunar Impact Basins: Structure, Evolution, and Scientific Opportunity
Lunar Impact Basins: Structure, Evolution, an…
Decoding Lunar Impact Basins: How Craters Reveal a Planet’s Inner WorkingsImpact basins are more than surface scars. They’re archives of…
Oh, Beautiful Moon: The NASA GRAIL Mission
Oh, Beautiful Moon: The NASA GRAIL Mission
When we think about the Moon, we often picture its surface—dusty plains, cratered highlands, and the dark volcanics known as…
Complexity of Martian Landscapes: Fire, Ice, and Life
Complexity of Martian Landscapes: Fire, Ice, …
Mars is often imagined as a barren desert, yet its surface tells a rich and dynamic story—one of volcanoes, flowing…
The Fury of Planet Mercury
The Fury of Planet Mercury
Mercury is often the oddball of the inner solar system—small, dense, and seemingly inert. But beneath its scorched surface lies…

Research Focus Areas

From Magma Oceans to Mining

Planetary Science & Exploration

Orbital Mechanics & Interior Modeling

Planetary Dynamics

Mission Strategy & Policy Integration

Strategic Space Applications

Propulsion, Sensing, and Simulation

Emerging Space Technologies

Public Engagement & Access in Science

Science Communication & Equity

Cross-Sector Research Initiatives

Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Explore the Driving Principles Behind Our Research

Dive into the core objectives and guiding philosophies that shape Dr. Alexander J. Evans’s work, revealing the inspiration and strategic focus behind each study.