Antonio GenovaView profile
Associate Professor
Antonio Genova is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome, where he has been working since 2019 (initially as Assistant Professor, promoted to Associate Professor in 2022). His expertise spans planetary geodesy, radio science, and spacecraft navigation, with significant contributions to multiple NASA and ESA missions including Europa Clipper, EnVision, BepiColombo, and JUICE. Dr. Genova received his PhD in Aerospace Engineering (2013) and Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering with honors (2009) from Sapienza University of Rome. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Associate at MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, with off-campus assignments at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. His research focuses on planetary interior structure determination through gravity field analysis, precise orbit determination techniques, and radio science investigations of planetary bodies. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of Mercury's interior structure (including evidence for a solid inner core), Mars' polar ice deposits, and the geophysical properties of icy moons like Europa and Enceladus. Dr. Genova has developed innovative methods for spacecraft navigation using sensor fusion of optical and radiometric data, and has made important contributions to understanding planetary atmospheres through radio occultation measurements. Dr. Genova's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on cutting-edge techniques in spacecraft navigation and planetary science. His work spans multiple planetary bodies including Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter's moons, and Saturn's moons. A significant portion of his recent research involves the analysis of data from current and upcoming missions like BepiColombo, EnVision, and Europa Clipper, with emphasis on gravity science, atmospheric studies, and interior structure characterization. Rita Levi Montalcini Award for Young Researchers by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) (2018) Planetary Science (690) Division Peer Award at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (2017) Dr. Genova has supervised multiple graduate students, including 5 M.Sc. students and 1 Ph.D. student in 2020, and 2 M.Sc. students in 2019. He has served as Co-Investigator on numerous high-profile space missions including Europa Clipper, EnVision, BepiColombo, and JUICE. He was Principal Investigator for a NASA-funded project on 'Solar System Planetary Geodesy Research' (2017-2018) and has been a member of multiple NASA mission teams including GRAIL, LOLA, MRO, and MESSENGER. As Co-chair of the Geodesy and Geophysics Working Group for the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission, Dr. Genova plays a key role in Mercury exploration. He is also a member of ESA's Science Program Voyage 2050 Topical Team, contributing to the strategic planning of future European space science missions.