M. J. Pelletier
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Dr. M. J. Pelletier is a pioneering figure in the development of instrumentation for planetary resource prospecting, with a primary focus on lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). His most cited work, the 2007 paper detailing the Raman/CHAMP instrument’s imager design, lays critical groundwork for characterizing the lunar surface environment. This instrument is designed to analyze volatile and mineral content, as well as the mechanical and thermal properties of lunar regolith—essential data for designing future excavation and resource extraction systems. While his citation count reflects a specialized, emerging field, Pelletier’s contributions are foundational to NASA’s vision of sustainable lunar exploration. His work directly addresses the practical challenges of identifying and mapping resources like water ice and minerals, enabling future missions to “live off the land.” By bridging remote sensing and in-situ analysis, Pelletier has helped define the technical requirements for precursor prospecting missions, making him a key architect of the tools that will support long-term human presence on the Moon.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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