Research statement

Prof. Olivier Mousis’ research focusses on the investigation of the formation conditions of planetary systems, with a special emphasis on our solar system. His goal is to establish a link between the present chemical/physical properties of planetary bodies and those associated with the many processes leading to their formation and primo-evolution in protoplanetary disks via the use data obtained from spacecrafts, ground-based facilities and laboratory experiments. He is also involved in the concept and preparation of robotic missions dedicated to the exploration of the outer solar system. He has been leading a long-term effort to define future space missions that will deliver atmospheric entry probes to the four giants, with a special emphasis first on Saturn (he has been the pI of the HERA mission proposal submitted to ESA in response to the M4 and M5 calls) and more recently on the Ice Giants Uranus and Neptune. Prof. Mousis has recently been the principal investigator of an international consortium aiming at proposing an Enceladus exploration mission to the 2022 ESA M-class call (Moonraker mission). 

Prof. Mousis is a laureate of a Fundamental Chair attributed in 2022 by the Institut Universitaire de France and a Senior Chair of Excellence awarded in 2015 by Aix-Marseille Université. He is also the PI of the FACOM (FAte of the volatile COmpounds at the galilean Moons) consortium funded by the French National Research Agency over the 2022-2025 period.

Prof. Mousis has authored/co-authored over 260 research papers, and delivered 550+ oral and written contributions to international conferences. Hindex = 66 and 14200+ citations (source Google Scholar, March 2024). 

He is the Director of the Origins institute at Aix-Marseille University.

Key words: solar system – planetary systems – formation – giant planets – moons – comets – exoplanets – solar system exploration