R. A. F. Grieve

About

R. A. F. Grieve is a leading figure in planetary science and impact cratering, whose work has profoundly shaped our understanding of lunar and terrestrial impact processes. His research focuses on the geological and geophysical signatures of impact structures, with a particular emphasis on robotic and human-assisted sample return missions. Grieve’s major contributions include pioneering mission control architectures for robotic lunar sample return, as demonstrated in field tests at the Sudbury impact structure—a key analogue site. These efforts, detailed in his most-cited paper (16 citations), have advanced autonomous sampling techniques crucial for future lunar exploration. His broader portfolio of analogue missions (4 citations) integrates robotic and human operations to refine strategies for returning pristine samples from the Moon. With a career spanning decades, Grieve has been instrumental in linking terrestrial impact studies to planetary exploration, influencing how scientists interpret cratering records across the solar system. His work remains foundational for students and researchers aiming to bridge field geology with space mission design.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   A Mission Control Architecture for robotic lunar sample return as field tested in an analogue deployment to the sudbury impact structure

   16 citations · 2012
2. 2
   A series of robotic and human analogue missions in support of lunar sample return

   4 citations · 2012

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links