He's 22, from Keansburg, and doing groundbreaking research about Mars

Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press
·4 min read

Michael Flynn graduated college May 9, but he didn’t quite finish. There is one more thing he’s working on, and it’s significant.

The Keansburg 22-year-old is studying the atmosphere of Mars and coauthoring a research paper that could impact future exploration of the Red Planet.

It's his final project at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, from which he graduated with distinction after attending on a full scholarship through Army ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps).

“One of our best students — not only in the classroom but also in his work doing research,” said Embry-Riddle professor John Hughes, chair of the university’s physics department. “To have an undergraduate doing cutting-edge research that’s going to get published, it’s a great thing for the student and something the university can be proud of.”

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Michael Flynn, 22, of Keansburg, who is conducting research about the atmosphere of Mars and has been accepted into an exclusive Army space course at West Point, works on his laptop at his home in Keansburg, NJ Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Michael Flynn, 22, of Keansburg, who is conducting research about the atmosphere of Mars and has been accepted into an exclusive Army space course at West Point, works on his laptop at his home in Keansburg, NJ Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

That’s not all. Later this month Flynn is attending the U.S. Army’s "Air and Space Basic Course" at West Point. He is among the first ROTC cadets ever chosen to attend the exclusive two-week event.

Not bad for a kid who grew up curious about the night sky.

Mapping Mars' crazy atmosphere

Flynn attended high school at Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) on Sandy Hook. There, as at Embry-Riddle, he made the most of his opportunities.

“He has a combination of talent and work ethic, and that’s a really good combination,” Hughes said. “Almost every time I walked into the lab, he was in there working.”

This past semester Flynn was named was Embry-Riddle’s Outstanding Student in Space Physics, his major. He not only posted the major’s highest grade-point average; his collaboration with physics professor Michael Hickey on the Mars project turned more than a few heads.

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Olympus Mons – the largest volcano in the solar system.
Olympus Mons – the largest volcano in the solar system.

Flynn and Hickey are studying the effect the planet’s ferocious sandstorms have on Martian atmosphere. They’re looking at the gravity waves generated when the wind blows across four large mountains, including the gargantuan Olympus Mons. At 72,000 feet high — two-and-a-half times taller than Mount Everest — Olympus Mons is the solar system’s biggest mountain.

They are hoping to publish their findings by summer’s end.

“This is important if we want to travel to Mars, if we want to have satellites over Mars, just understanding the complexities of the atmosphere,” Flynn explained.

Mapping these patters could help scientists anticipate huge fluctuations in temperature, wind speed and atmospheric density. That will be vital for any attempt to send humans to Mars.

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Michael Flynn, 22, of Keansburg, has been conducting research about the atmosphere of Mars and has been accepted into an exclusive Army space course at West Point. Keansburg, NJ Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Michael Flynn, 22, of Keansburg, has been conducting research about the atmosphere of Mars and has been accepted into an exclusive Army space course at West Point. Keansburg, NJ Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

Flynn can envision it.

“I would say, from what I’ve studied, that if you had the right shelter it’s possible,” he said. “There are cases of sandstorms with winds at certain locations that can actually become supersonic (above 760 mph) at specific heights. That could be dangerous. But if you had a strong enough shelter, it could be possible.”

Before that, though, Flynn has some business closer to home.

A future in 'Space Ops'

On May 8, Flynn was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He has a job lined up in the Army’s cyber command. Training begins early next year in Georgia. An internship last summer gave him a glimpse of the work.

“It was really eye-opening,” he said. “I can’t talk about the specifics of everything I saw, but I was able to do a project that involved satellite communication systems and the different ways we can control satellite systems.”

That’s where his heart lies.

“I’m really interested in satellite physics and satellite communication systems,” Flynn said.

The ultimate gig? A post with Army Space Operations, which could be crucial to the nation’s future defense. He must attain the rank of captain in order to apply, so that’s a few years off. For now, he’s building a resume and gaining experience. The upcoming course at West Point will add to it all.

“I am really excited about this opportunity where I can apply what I’ve learned to the Army, and take the knowledge the Army is going to give me and apply that for national defense,” Flynn said. “I feel like I’ve been mostly prepared for it.”

As far as Hughes is concerned, you can take the “mostly” out of that sentiment.

“One thing I’m quite sure of?” the professor said. “He’ll be successful no matter where he ends up.”

Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore’s interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Mars atmosphere studied by Keansburg NJ man starting West Point course