Ellie Sansom

Dr. Ellie Sansom is a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University's School of Elec Eng, Comp and Math Sci (EECMS) and Director of the Australian Desert Fireball Network and Global Fireball Observatory. She leads multidisciplinary research on meteoroid atmospheric entry dynamics, trajectory analysis, and meteorite recovery, with applications to planetary defense and Mars exploration.

• PhD in Meteoritics and Planetary Science (2017, Curtin University)
• MSci in Geophysics (Imperial College London, 2012)

Her research focuses on:

• Meteoroid trajectory modeling using extended Kalman filters and particle filters
• Seismic and acoustic detection of atmospheric entries
• Planetary defense strategies for asteroid deflection
• Comparative atmospheric entry physics between Earth and Mars

Recent publications highlight advancements in:

• Fireball trajectory algorithms
• Martian crater cluster analysis
• Interstellar meteor detection
• Comet-like fireball dynamics

Scientific awards include:

• Athena Swan STEMM Star, Curtin University
• AIPS Tall Poppy, 2021
• Woodside Early Career Scientist of the Year finalist, 2021

She actively collaborates with NASA's InSight mission, Defence Science and Technology Group, and Lockheed Martin, translating academic research into industry applications. Her outreach includes media appearances on The Conversation and public engagement through television, radio, and events.