As a planetary geophysicist, Dr. Steve Vance finds intrinsic value in understanding the physical processes that created the solar system as we know it today. As an astrobiologist, he understands that technology may soon enable the discovery of extraterrestrial life in much the same way the invention of the microscope enabled the discovery of bacteria in the late 17th century.

Steve is a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow working on the Tunable Laser Spectrometer for the Mars Science Lander, which will measure local carbon dioxide and methane isotope composition of the martian atmosphere around its landing site beginning in 2010. He is implementing field tunable diode laser spectrometers for studying hot springs on Earth, which may have analogues on Mars.

Steve also studies the interiors of icy bodies like Jupiter's moon, Europa. The liquid ocean under Europa's icy surface is potentially as deep as Earth's atmosphere is high. At some time in the past, if not now, that ocean may also have been a haven for life. That possibility hinges on many unknown factors: Is Europa's ocean too acidic or too basic, or its waters too dilute to support life? Are the available nutrients and modest energy inputs to Europa enough to support even a small collection of bacteria-like organisms? If so, can they be transported through the vast depths of the ocean to take advantage of food inputs from space as well as those from a rocky seafloor? Steve's work address these questions through simulations of Europa's ocean chemistry in the laboratory and by application of theoretical models to fluid circulation in deep oceans.

• B.S. Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz (2000)
• Ph.D. Astrobiology and Geophysics, University of Washington (2007)

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2007-present)
  • NASA Postdoctoral Fellow
• University of Washington, Seattle (2001-2007)
  • Research Assistant
• Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study (2003-2004)
  • Research Associate
• Institut für Planetologie, Münster (2003)
  Research Associate
• UCO/Lick Observatory (2001)
  • Research Associate
• University of California, Santa Cruz (1998-2001)
  • Research Assistant

• NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship (2007-2008)
• Misch Fellowship (2007)
• Stephens Graduate Support Grant (2006)
• National Science Foundation IGERT/NASA Astrobiology Institute Grant (2002-2005)
• Research support, University of Washington Alumni Grant, Winter and Spring (2001)
• Elks National Foundation Scholarship, 1996-2000 / Kern County Elks Scholarship (1996)
• Howard and Mamie Nichols Scholarship (1996-2000)
• Texaco Foundation Scholarship (1996-2000)

1. Vance, S., J.M. Brown, E.H. Abramson and N. Castle, 2008. Equations of State for Aqueous MgSO4 to 2.0 m, 700 MPa from -20 to 100°C. in preparation for submission to Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.
2. Vance, S., J.M. Brown and E.H. Abramson, 2008. The Icy Satellite Interior Simulator, an Apparatus for Optical Measurements in Aqueous Systems in the range -20 to 100°C and 700 MPa. in preparation for submission to Rev. Sci. Inst.
3. Vance, S., J. Harnmeijer, J. Kimura, H. Hussmann, B. de Martin and J. M. Brown, 2007. Hydrothermal Systems in Small Ocean Planets. Astrobiology, in press.
4. Vance, S. 2005. Exploration & Characterization of Europa. in The Astrobiology Primer: An Outline of General Knowledge|Version 1, 2006. Eds. L.J. Mix, J.C. Armstrong, A.M. Mandell, A.C. Mosier, J. Raymond, S.N. Raymond, F.J. Stewart, K. von Braun, and O. Zhaxybayeva Astrobiology 6, 735-813.
5. Vance, S. and J. M. Brown, 2005. Layering and Double-Diffusion Style Convection in Europa's Ocean. Icarus, 177, 506-514.
6. Vance, S., 2003. Signs of Liquid Water; Life on Jupiter's Moon Europa? Planets & Life, A Newsletter of the Center for Astrobiology and Early Evolution 5, 4.