Dr. Shannon Curry is an Associate Professor in the Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences (APS) Department at the University of Colorado, Boulder and is currently the Principal Investigator of the NASA Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. Prior to this, she served as the Assistant Deputy Director of Planetary Science at the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focus is on the evolution of planetary atmospheres with respect to the sun’s radiation environment, solar wind and solar activity. She is also involved in mission concepts, mission design and instrument development for future flight missions to other bodies in the solar system. She is currently a science team member on NASA’s Parker Solar Probe (PSP) mission, Project Scientist for NASA’s ESCAPADE mission (phase D), and a collaborator on NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) program. She also serves on NASA’s Planetary Advisory Committee (PAC).
ASEN 5440 - Mission Design and Development for Space Sciences
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
Brings science and engineering students together to develop the multidisciplinary skills required to create a successful proposal to develop a NASA-funded small space mission. Goals: 1) develop the proposal science objectives based on scientific community priorities and NASA Announcement of Opportunity. 2) Understand how science requirements lead to the design of instrumentation. 3) Understand practical aspects of mission development. Same as ASTR 5780.
ASTR 1000 - The Solar System
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Introduction to the night sky, planets, moons and the life in our solar system. Highlights the latest discoveries from space. For non-science majors. Some lectures may be held at Fiske Planetarium. Offers opportunities for nighttime observations at Sommers-Bausch Observatory. Similar to ASTR 1010, but without lab. Degree credit not granted for this course and ASTR 1010 or ASTR 1030.
ASTR 3760 - Solar and Space Physics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025
Explores the physical processes linking the Sun and planets, emphasizing solar radiative and particulate variability and the response of planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres. Topics include the solar dynamo, solar wind, coronal mass ejections, cosmic ray modulation, magnetospheres, aurora, the space environment, and climate variability. Recommended prerequisite: PHYS 3310. Elective for APS major and minor.
ASTR 5780 - Mission Design and Development for Space Sciences
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
Brings science and engineering students together to develop the multidisciplinary skills required to create a successful proposal to develop a NASA-funded small space mission. Goals: 1) develop the proposal science objectives based on scientific community priorities and NASA Announcement of Opportunity. 2) Understand how science requirements lead to the design of instrumentation. 3) Understand practical aspects of mission development. Same as ASEN 5440.
