Terik Daly

Dr. Terik Daly investigates how the solar system formed and changes through time, and he helps develop spacecraft missions that address pressing questions in planetary science. His work includes laboratory experiments, computer models, and spacecraft data analysis and focuses on fundamental processes such as impact cratering, an approach that allows him to tackle problems on a range of objects in the solar system. Dr. Daly contributes to efforts to defend Earth against the hazards posed by asteroids and comets and was the deputy instrument scientist for DRACO, the camera that flew on NASA’s first planetary defense mission, DART. He was also part of the development team for the Small Body Mapping Tool (SBMT), a 3D data visualization and analysis tool used by researchers around the world. He is the principal investigator for multiple NASA-funded grants. Dr. Daly considers education and outreach to be vital parts of his professional identity, and he regularly mentors high school students through APL’s ASPIRE program and volunteers to support other STEM outreach activities.