Papers
2
Total Citations
6
H-Index
2
About
David Gump is a pioneering figure in the commercial space industry, with a career focused on transforming space exploration from a government-led endeavor into a viable private-sector enterprise. His key research areas center on the practical utilization of space resources, including asteroid mining and lunar exploration. Gump’s major contributions include advocating for and outlining the economic and technical pathways to retrieve asteroid resources, as well as promoting commercial lunar prospecting and site preparation for future human missions. His work has been instrumental in framing the business case for extracting water and minerals from the Moon and near-Earth objects, arguing that these resources could fuel further space exploration and mitigate the threat of asteroid impacts. While his most-cited papers, such as "Finding a Practical Asteroid Strategy" (2013) and "Prospects for robotic lunar exploration by commercial enterprise" (2011), each hold 3 citations, their true impact lies in influencing policy and investment in the new space economy. Gump’s notable achievements include co-founding several pioneering space companies, including SpaceDev and Deep Space Industries, making him a foundational voice in the commercial space resources movement.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Finding a Practical Asteroid Strategy3 citations · 2013
- 2Prospects for robotic lunar exploration by commercial enterprise3 citations · 2011