Antonella Barucci is a planetary astrophysicist at the Observatoire de Paris, specialist in the exploration of the solar system. She studies the chemical and physical nature of the primitive bodies of the solar system. In particular was pioneering in the study of the new frontiers of the solar system with several discoveries on trans-Neptunian objects. She participated in the design and realization of several space missions (Smart, Cassini-Huygens, Rosetta, Dawn ...). Currently she is co-investigator of missions BepiColombo (ESA), Hayabusa2 (JAXA) and OSIRIS-REx (NASA).
The OSIRIS-REx mission, launched on September 8th 2016, will go into orbit with the primitive asteroid Bennu in October 2018 to study it in detail for two years, selecting the site for the collection of samples that will return to Earth in September 2023.
Silver Achievement Medal (SAM)
This prestigious NASA Silver Achievement Medal is awarded to Government and non-Government individuals or teams by NASA Center Directors for a stellar achievement that supports one or more of NASA’s Core Values, when it is deemed to be extraordinarily important and appropriate to recognize such achievement in a timely and personalized manner.
SAM is NASA’s second highest award that can be bestowed to a "civilian" (non-government) scientist.
NASA’s most prestigious honor awards are approved by the Administrator and presented to a number of carefully selected individuals and groups of individuals, both Government and non-Government, who have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to the Agency’s mission. The Chair of the Incentive Awards Board (IAB) annually requests nominations for the various NASA honor awards. After a rigorous review, the nominations are forwarded to the IAB chair for approval. NASA medals and/or certificates are, subsequently, presented to the award recipients by the Agency’s highest officials at the annual awards ceremonies held at NASA Headquarters and each NASA Center.