Alan Stern

About the Author

Alan Stern is a renowned planetary scientist, aerospace engineer, and the principal investigator for NASA's historic New Horizons mission, which provided humanity's first close-up look at Pluto and its moons. With a PhD in astrophysics from the University of Colorado, Stern has dedicated his career to exploring the outer solar system, authoring numerous scientific papers and books that bridge complex space exploration with accessible storytelling. His passion for discovery shines through in his writings, which detail the triumphs, challenges, and groundbreaking science behind interstellar voyages. As a leading voice in planetary science, Stern continues to inspire future generations of explorers through his work at the Southwest Research Institute and his advocacy for ambitious space missions.