Daniel Britt

Dr. Daniel Britt is the Pegasus Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences at the University of Central Florida's Department of Physics. He holds a Ph.D. from Brown University (1991) and has extensive experience in NASA missions, including Mars Pathfinder, Deep Space 1, New Horizons, and the Lucy Mission. His research focuses on asteroid/comet mineralogy, space weathering, and planetary surface evolution under multiple NASA grants. He directs the NASA-funded Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (CLASS).

• Education: Ph.D. in Astronomy, Brown University (1991); M.S./B.S. from University of Washington

Research interests include experimental studies of asteroid material properties, development of planetary simulants, and thermal degradation of extraterrestrial materials. He has led hardware development for Mars landers and serves as a leader in professional societies like the American Astronomical Society and Geological Society of America.

Awards include 6 NASA Achievement Awards and election as a Meteoritical Society Fellow. His contributions have earned an asteroid's naming honor (4395 DanBritt).

He manages NASA grants totaling millions and advises on space resource utilization. As CLASS director, he oversees interdisciplinary research into lunar/asteroid resources. Active in public outreach through YouTube lectures on space economics and planetary science.