With the final phase of peer review complete while aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Dr. Jessica Watkins was the first person to publish a scientific paper from space. Alongside this unusual event, Watkins made statements about the experience of doing science in space.
Watkins’ paper, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, was part of NASA’s postdoctoral research in geology on data from Mars’ Gale Crater that the Curiosity rover is currently investigating. Watkins-led work provides insights into the geological changes that led to the Red Planet’s transformation from a water-rich basin to the dry, cold region it is today.
Dr. “The article describes the discovery of a mismatch, or a discontinuity at the time of deposition, in a series of sedimentary rocks in Gale crater on Mars,” Watkins said. “It separates the overlying rocks, leading to the formation of eolian sand dunes. Thus, the unconformity records a wet-to-dry climate transition in Gale crater and provides evidence consistent with a global transition from wet to dry climate on Mars.”
Watkins submitted his original paper a few years ago, prior to his application to become a member of NASA’s astronaut team. Watkins was already well on his way to becoming an astronaut when the article returned, along with reviewers’ comments.
Joining NASA Crew-4 as the first black woman to serve on the ISS, she recently reviewed these comments and edited the article with her co-authors. Dr. While addressing the challenges of accessing resources in orbit, Watkins said they published it without any problems because much of the paper was already completed.
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