Dr. Richard Binzel is recently retired from a 30-year teaching career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Professor of Planetary Science and Joint Professor of Aerospace Engineering. His astronomical observing expertise spans from asteroids near the Earth to distant Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, specializing in reconnaissance measurements that help define the science objectives for solar system exploration missions. He is a recipient of NASA’s Silver Achievement medal, the second highest honor bestowed by NASA to a civilian scientist.