Keith’s note: I am not even sure where to start. I knew Paul for 30 years. He was truly the “man in the moon”. I am not sure that there was any one person left among us who had that Apollo-era sort of knowledge of the Moon – its geology, its resources, and its untapped potential. He was an unrelenting advocate for lunar exploration and he will be truly missed. This is a tremendous loss for space science. Ad Astra Paul.
The Passing of Paul Spudis: Moon Exploration Expert, Leonard David
“Spudis was Deputy Leader of the Science Team for the Department of Defense Clementine mission to the Moon in 1994, the Principal Investigator of the Mini-SAR imaging radar experiment on India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission (2008-2009), and a team member of the Mini-RF imaging radar on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission (2009-2018). Spudis authored or co-authored over 115 scientific papers and 7 books, including The Once and Future Moon, a book for the general public in the Smithsonian Library of the Solar System series, The Clementine Atlas of the Moon, by Cambridge University Press, and The Value of the Moon: How to Explore, Live and Prosper in Space Using the Moon’s Resources, by Smithsonian Books. Spudis was a major lunar scientist based at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas at the time of his passing. For a glimpse of the renowned work of Paul Spudis, go to: http://www.spudislunarresources.com/“
NASA Adminstrator @JimBridenstine just mentioned the passing of Paul Spudis at the @NASA Advisory Council and asked for a moment of silence.
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) August 29, 2018
RIP. I got his book a few months ago and loved it.
What a loss! I spoke with him a number of times. My condolences to his family.
Sad news. Paul was a true gem. I’ve known him for decades. RIP.
RIP. Hope his blog stays online, has many insightful discussions, http://www.spudislunarresou…
Very sorry to hear about Paul. He was one of the best defenders of the Moon.
I’m really sad to hear the news!! 🙁 This is a great loss. I have several of his books and hoped to meet him someday.
Very sad news. A most complete thinker. Deepest sympathies for his family.
Terrible, terrible news. One tribute to his importance in the field: in the past day I have received more emails mourning Paul’s passing than I ever received concerning the loss of anyone else…
Notwithstanding others who did the same — Paul Spudis was the most articulate, scientifically knowledgeable, and forceful advocate for lunar exploration we have ever had. His death is a gigantic loss.
No science fiction of the moon is complete without the trope of “Armstrong City,” the obvious name of the first city on the moon. But when it actually comes to pass it should perhaps be named “Spudis City” as no one has worked harder or smarter to keep focus on our nearest neighbor and push for sustainable economic development of its resources. Ad Astra, Paul. You will be missed.
Occasionally disagreed with him, always respected him, and he always made me think; he’ll be deeply missed.
Very sad. All we can do is work harder to realize his vision.