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About

J. G. Mantovani is a space exploration engineer whose research sits at the intersection of in situ resource utilization (ISRU), planetary regolith science, and advanced construction technologies for extraterrestrial environments. Based at NASA Kennedy Space Center, Mantovani has made significant contributions to solving the practical engineering challenges of operating on planetary surfaces, particularly the Moon and Mars. Among his most influential works, Mantovani explored the use of basalt regolith fines for additive construction — essentially 3D printing with lunar soil — a concept critical to sustainable off-world habitation (34 citations). His foundational research on regolith delivery systems, developed through rigorous testing at KSC since 2008, addressed key challenges in processing raw planetary materials for ISRU applications (32 citations). He also pioneered electrostatic dust control techniques and non-mechanical particle transport methods, tackling the pervasive problem of fine dust that threatens equipment performance on airless bodies. Mantovani's work extends to strategic mission planning, contributing to NASA's Evolvable Mars Campaign and innovative propulsion concepts leveraging volatile planetary resources. Collectively, his research has helped lay the technical groundwork for humanity's long-term presence beyond Earth, earning him recognition as a practical visionary in planetary surface operations.