A. E. Pickersgill

About

A. E. Pickersgill is a planetary scientist whose work centers on robotic exploration, geological field analogies, and the operational strategies required for future lunar sample return missions. Her research bridges the gap between remote sensing, rover autonomy, and real-time geological decision-making, particularly in impact crater environments. In her most-cited paper, "A Mission Control Architecture for robotic lunar sample return as field tested in an analogue deployment to the Sudbury impact structure" (2012, 16 citations), Pickersgill demonstrates how terrestrial analogue sites—such as the Sudbury and Mistastin Lake impact structures in Canada—can be used to test and refine mission control protocols for robotic sample collection. Her work on geologically-focused situational awareness (2012, 6 citations) highlights the critical challenge of maintaining scientific context during remote operations, a key issue for upcoming lunar missions. Through a series of integrated robotic and human analogue deployments (2012, 4 citations), Pickersgill has contributed foundational insights into how scientists and engineers can collaborate effectively in planetary exploration scenarios. Her research is essential reading for those interested in the practical implementation of robotic geology and the design of mission architectures for returning samples from the Moon.

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
   Issues of geologically-focused situational awareness in robotic planetary missions: Lessons from an analogue mission at Mistastin Lake impact structure, Labrador, Canada

   6 citations · 2012
3. 3
   A series of robotic and human analogue missions in support of lunar sample return

   4 citations · 2012

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links