B. L. Jolliff

About

B. L. Jolliff is a leading planetary geologist whose research focuses on lunar and Martian surface processes, sample return missions, and the geologic context of landing sites. A key contribution is the photometric characterization of the Chang’e-3 landing site using LROC NAC images (41 citations), which provided critical insights into lunar surface properties. Jolliff also led the identification and geologic context of Soviet lunar sample return sites (37 citations) and produced detailed cartography of the Luna-21 landing site and Lunokhod-2 traverse area (26 citations), enabling precise placement of returned samples in their geologic framework. Beyond the Moon, Jolliff contributed to Mars exploration through the FIDO rover field trials (26 citations), which tested robotic mobility for field science, and related infrared spectroscopy studies. Notable achievements include work on simulated lunar dust size and charge distributions (12 citations), lunar sample return analogue missions, and biological sterilization protocols for returned Mars samples. With over 180 total citations, Jolliff’s work is foundational for understanding planetary surfaces and preparing for future sample return missions.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Photometric characterization of the Chang’e-3 landing site using LROC NAC images

   41 citations · 2015
2. 2
   Soviet lunar sample return missions: Landing site identification and geologic context

   37 citations · 2012
3. 3
   Cartography of the Luna-21 landing site and Lunokhod-2 traverse area based on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera images and surface archive TV-panoramas

   26 citations · 2016
4. 4
   FIDO prototype Mars rover field trials, Black Rock Summit, Nevada, as test of the ability of robotic mobility systems to conduct field science

   26 citations · 2002
5. 5
   Size and charge distribution characteristics of fine and ultrafine particles in simulated lunar dust: Relevance to lunar missions and exploration

   12 citations · 2021
6. 6
   Synthesis of overhead and ground‐based infrared spectroscopy at the 2000 FIDO Mars rover field test

   5 citations · 2002
7. 7
   A series of robotic and human analogue missions in support of lunar sample return

   4 citations · 2012
8. 8
   Biological Sterilization of Returned Mars Samples

   4 citations · 1999
9. 9
   Selecting and Certifying a Landing Site for Moonrise in South Pole-Aitken Basin

   3 citations · 2017
10. 10
    Context of Robotic Lander, Rover, and Sample Return Sites on the Moon: Imaging with LROC

    2 citations · 2010

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links