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Dr Bertrand Mennesson

Principal Astrophysicist

About

Bio

Dr. Bertrand Mennesson received his Ph.D. in Astrophysics and Space Techniques from Paris Diderot University in 1999, and then joined JPL in March 2001. His expertise is in the design, assembly and scientific exploitation of high-contrast high-resolution optical systems – coronagraphs, interferometers and starshades- used for astronomical imaging. Dr Mennesson's main scientific focus is on the direct detection and spectroscopy of exoplanetary systems, ultimately leading to the search for life on Earth-like exoplanets, through the use of new instruments and data reduction techniques. He is the author or co-author of over 300 publications in specialized journals and at professional conferences.

Education

  • M.S., Engineering, Ecole des Mines, France (1993)
  • M.S., Astrophysics and Space Techniques, University of Paris VII (1994)
  • Ph.D., Astrophysics and Space Techniques, University of Paris VII (1999)

Research Interests

  • High contrast high resolution astronomical imaging
  • Extrasolar planets and debris disks
  • Evolved stars
  • Wavefront correction / achromatization techniques

Experience

Professional Experience

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (2001 – Present)

  • Principal Scientist
  • Pre-Formulation Scientist for the Habitable Worlds Observatory
  • Science co-chair of the Technical Assessment Group for the Habitable Worlds Observatory
  • JPL Roman Space Telescope Deputy Project Scientist (since 2019)
  • Center Study Scientist and STDT co-chair, Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) large mission concept study (2015-2019)
  • Principal Investigator, near-infrared characterization of hot exo-zodiacal disks around nearby stars, NASA Exoplanets Research Program (2013 - 2016)
  • NASA/LBTI Key Science team member. Defining data acquisition, analysis and calibration strategies for exo-zodi survey (2012 - 2020)
  • Optics Lead for the Integration, Test and Scientific Commissioning of the Keck Interferometer Nulling Beam Combiner (2001-2007)
  • TPF-I Mission Deputy Project Scientist (2002-2006)
  • Leiden Observatory / ESTEC, Netherlands, Research Associate (2000)

Research Community Service

  • Habitable Worlds Observatory Technology Assessment Group Science co-chair (2023-2024)
  • NASA Center Study Scientist and Science and Technology Definition Team co-chair, Habitable Exoplanet Observatory mission concept development (2016-2020)
  • Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) Executive Committee Member (since 2021)
  • Terrestrial Planet Finder Science NASA Working Group Member (2002-2007)

Achievements

Awards & Recognitions

  • JPL Voyager Award | for serving as Science co-Chair of the Habitable Worlds Observatory Technical Assessment Group (2024)
  • JPL Explorer Award | for science leadership of the HabEx flagship mission concept study (2021)
  • JPL Voyager Award | for initiating and publishing an analysis of the technology importance of the Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument (2020)
  • JPL Principal Designation | 3262 - Exoplanet Discovery And Science (2019)
  • JPL Voyager Award | for excellent development and presentation of scientific and technological cases for the WFIRST Independent External Technical, Management & Cost Review (WIETR) (2017)

Publications

  1. Mennesson, B., Belikov, R., Por, E. et al. 2024, Current laboratory performance of starlight suppression systems and potential pathways to desired Habitable Worlds Observatory exoplanet science capabilities, JATIS, 035004-1
  2. Mennesson, B., Bailey, V.P., Zellem, R. et al. 2022, The Roman Space telescope coronagraph technology demonstration: current status and relevance to future missions, SPIE 12180
  3. Mennesson, B., Juanola-Parramon, R., Nemati, B. et al. 2020, Paving the Way to Future Missions: the Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Technology Demonstration
  4. Mennesson, B., Bailey, V., Kasdin, J. et al. The Potential of Exozodiacal Disks Observations with the WFIRST Coronagraph Instrument, NASEM Exoplanet Science Strategy whitepaper
  5. Gaudi, S., Seager, S., Mennesson, B. et al. 2019, The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory mission concept(HabEx) study report
  6. Mennesson, B., Kennedy, G., Ertel, S. et al. 2019, Interplanetary dust around main sequence stars: origin, magnitude, and implications for exoplanet habitability searches, BAAS, 51, 324
  7. Mennesson, B., Millan-Gabet, R., Serabyn E. et al. 2014, Constraining the Exozodiacal Luminosity Function of Main Sequence Stars : Complete Results from the Keck Nuller Mid-infrared Surveys, ApJ, 797, 119
  8. Mennesson B., Absil O., Lebreton J. et al. 2013, An Interferometric Study of the Fomalhaut Debris Disk. II. Keck Interferometer Nuller Mid-Infrared Observations, ApJ 763, 119
  9. Serabyn E, Mennesson B. Colavita M. et al. 2012, The Keck Interferometer Nuller, ApJ, 748, 55
  10. Mennesson B., Serabyn E., Hanot, C. et al. 2011, New Constraints on Companions and Dust within a few AU of Vega, ApJ 736, 14
  11. Mennesson B., Hanot C., Serabyn E. et al. 2011, High Contrast Stellar Observations within the Diffraction Limit at the Palomar Hale Telescope, ApJ, 743, 178
  12. Mawet, D., Mennesson, B., Serabyn E. et al. 2011, A dim candidate companion to epsilon Cephei, ApJ, 738, 12
  13. Mennesson B. et al. 2005, The Dusty AGB Star RS CrB: First Mid-Infrared Interferometric Observations with the Keck Telescopes. ApJ Letters, 634, 169
  14. Cotton W.D., Mennesson B., Diamond P.J. et al. 2004. VLBA Observations of SiO Masers towards Mira variable stars. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 414, 275
  15. Mennesson B., Perrin, G., Coude du Foresto, V. et al. 2002, Evidence for very extended gaseous layers around O-rich Mira variables and M giants. ApJ 579, 446
  16. Mennesson, B., Mariotti, J.M, Coude du Foresto, V. et al. 1999, Thermal infrared stellar interferometry using single-mode guided optics: first results with the TISIS experiment at IOTA, A&A, 346, 181
  17. Mennesson, B. & Mariotti, J.M. 1997, Array configurations for a space infrared nulling interferometer dedicated to the search for Earthlike extrasolar planets, Icarus, 532, 281
  18. Leger, A., Mariotti, J.M., Mennesson B. et al. 1996, Could we search for primitive life on extrasolar planets in the near future? Icarus, 123, 249