We are leaving in the golden age of Solar System exploration with a fleet of space probes flying-by or orbiting around many planetary and small bodies, several rover and landers on the Moon and Mars, sample return missions already accomplished or planned and a concreate close perspective of human and robotic stable settlements on the Moon. Within this context geology is pivotal for science investigation, mission operational planning including hazard and risk assessment, in situ resource evaluation, Infrastructure planning and planetary protection.

For this reason the Department of Geoscience is involved on several instrument and mission teams such as Bepi Colombo mission to Mercury, ExoMars - Trace Gras Orbiter, Juice mission to the Jupiter satellites and the PANGAEA geological training for astronauts. In addition, also the study of meteorites plays a fundamental role, as these extraterrestrial samples provide direct access to materials from asteroids, the Moon, Mars, and other bodies, offering critical insights into the early formation and evolution of the Solar System. The research approach includes:

1. Geological mapping and 3D modelling of planetary and small bodies surfaces;
2. Comparative planetology including analysis of earth analogues on diverse geological contexts (volcanic, intrusive, impact cratering);
3. Laboratory analysis of extraterrestrial and analogue materials;
4. Support in designing missions and instruments for planetary geological exploration;
5. In situ resource evaluation and utilization.

Our Department also perform meteorites classification and it is one of the recognized repository for new meteoritic samples by the Meteoritical Society.

Professors coordinating and developing projects related to this research pathway: Anna Barbaro, Matteo Massironi, Christine Meyzen, Riccardo Pozzobon, Francesco Sauro, Richard Spiess, Luca Valentini