PRESENT POSITION:

Head, Planetary Magnetospheres Branch
Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

EDUCATION:

1971 - B.S, High Honors, (Physics) University of Maryland
1974 - M.S., (Physics) University of Maryland
1978 - Ph.D., (Physics) University of Maryland
1968-1971 - GSFC Co-op Student, Theoretical Studies Division

RESEARCH AREA EXPERIENCE:

Planetary magnetospheres, ionospheres, thermospheres, exospheres, middle atmosphere electrodynamics, space plasma physics, spacecraft-plasma-atmospshere interactions, global magnetospheric simulation, multiplform terrestrial and planetary mission design

EXPERIENCE:

1971-1974 - Mathematician, Data Analysis Branch, Laboratory for Planetary Atmospheres
1979-1988 - PI, Plasma Dynamics Grant
1979-1980 - Consultant, Department of Energy
1981-1983 - Consultant, Los Alamos National Laboratory
1981-1992 - PI, Planetary Plasma Interaction Grant
1983-1987 - Associate Editor of Radio Science
1984-1988 - Space Scientist, Planetary Magnetospheres Branch
1987-1989 - Discipline Scientist, Solar Terrestrial Theory Program, NASA Headquarters.
1987-1989 - Program Scientist, STTP
1989 - Acting Chief Space Physics Theory Program
1986-1992 - Project Scientist, AMPTE
1988 - present Project Scientist for Theory & Ground-based Observations, ISTP
1989-1991 - U. S. Project Scientist, ACTIVA
1989-1995 - NASA-NSF CEDAR/ISTP Liaison
1990-1995 - NASA-NSF Geospace Environment Modeling Liaison
1990-1995 - ISTP/STEP Liaison
1992-1995 - Grand Tour Cluster Deputy Study Scientist
1994-1995 - Grand Tour Cluster Study Scientist
1995-1999 - PI, STTP Global Magnetospheric Simulation
1996-1997 - Geospace Multiprobe Study Scientist
1998- present - Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) Project Scientist
1997- present - PI, REE Program HPCC advanced s/c computations
1999 - RTD (Radiation, Technology Demonstration) Spacecraft Project Scientist

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY:

American Geophysical Union
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Institute of Aeronautics and Aeronautics
Association for Computing Machinery International Union of Radio Science (URSI)
IEEE

HONORS:

Sigma Pi Sigma
Phi Kappa Phi
Outstanding Physics Senior Undergraduate Award
1976 National Space Club Certificate of Achievement
1985 Outstanding Performance Award
1985 Quality Increase Award
1986 Outstanding Performance Award
1986 Exceptional Achievement Award
1989 Outstanding Performance Award
1996 Outstanding Performance Award

COMMITTEES:

GSFC Scientific Colloquium Committee 1979-1983
Space and Earth Sciences Directorate Space Station Committee 1983-1984 Vice Chairman
USRI Commission H Nomination Committee 1986 Member 1986
GSFC Code 600 Strategic Planning Committee, Chair 1990-1993
NASA Headquarter Planetary Atmospheric MOWG Member 1990-1992

MAJOR MISSION CONCEPTS DEVELOPED:

Grand Tour Cluster Lite (1995) MIDEX Class, PI
Janus/Mercury Express (1998)
Auroral Lites (1998)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

1. 1999 - "A Global View of the Role of Acceleration Processes in Solar-Terrestrial Coupling as Provided by the ISTP Theory and Ground-Based Experiments," S. A. Curtis, J. Raeder, J. Berchem, C. Goldrich, M. Wiltberger, R. Greenwald, K. Baker and R. Roble, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part-C, 24, 239-246
2. 1988 - "Remanent Magetism at Mars," S. A. Curtis and N. F. Ness, Geophys. Res., Lett., 15, 737
3. 1986 - "The Centrifugal Flute Instability and the Generation of Saturnian Kilometric Radiation", S. A. Curtis, R. P. Lepping, and E. C. Sittler, Jr., J, Geophy. Res., 91, 10989
4. 1986 - "Magnetostrophic Balance and Planetary Dynamos: Predictions for Netune's Magnetosphere," S. A. Curtis and N. F. Ness, J..Geophys. Res., 91, 11003
5. 1985 - "CO2 Impact Ionization Plasma Instability Observed by Pioneer Venus Orbiter of Periapsis", S. A. Curtis, L. H. Brace, H. B. Niemann, and F. L Scarf, J. Geophys. Res., 90, 6631
6. 1984 - "Equatorially Trapped Plasmasphere Ion Distribution and Transverse Stochastic Acceleration.", S. A. Curtis, J. Geophys. Res., 90, 1765
7. 1980 - "Changes in the Terrestrial Atmosphere-Ionospher-Magnetosphere System due to Ion Propulsion for Solar Power Satellite Placement," S. A. Curtis and J. M. Grebowsky, Space Solar Power Review, 1, 269
8. 1979 - "The Use of the German V-2 Rocket in U.S. Upper Atmosphere Research," S. A. Curtis, Journal of the British Interplanetary Soc., 32, 443
9. 1978 - "Mercury's Helium Exosphere After Mariner 10's Third Encounter," S. A. Curtis and R. E. Hartle, J. Geophys. Res., 83, 1193
10. 1975 - "Wind Enhanced Planetary Escape: Collisional Modification," S. A. Curtis and R. E. Hartle, J. Geophys. Res., 82, 1206

Last Modified: 29 September 1999

Curator: Jennifer Kalb, Raytheon ITSS Corporation
Email: Jennifer.Kalb@gsfc.nasa.gov

Responsible NASA Representative: Dr. Steven Curtis
E-mail: Steven.Curtis@gsfc.nasa.gov