Dr Robert J. (Rob) Lillis is the Principal Investigator and Lead Scientist for NASA’s recently-launched ESCAPADE robotic twin mission to Mars.

He will speak about how the million mile-per-hour solar wind strips away the Martian atmosphere over time, causing auroras unlike anything we see on earth. Rob is passionate about his work, and will detail how recent and future Mars space weather missions, such as ESCAPADE, unlock Martian secrets and help future explorers navigate, communicate, and avoid deadly radiation.

Rob’s father Brian Lillis grew up in Kilkee on O’Curry Street. Naturally, Rob spent all his childhood summers in Kilkee and still visits at least once a year.