Mary Nehls
Papers
1
Total Citations
11
H-Index
1
About
Mary Nehls is a pioneering aerospace engineer whose work focuses on in-situ resource utilization and extraterrestrial construction for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Her most notable contribution is the design and construction of a one-piece lunar regolith bag garage prototype, a novel shelter concept that leverages lunar soil to create unpressurized structures without requiring heavy materials from Earth. This innovative approach, detailed in her 2007 paper with 11 citations, demonstrates how early lunar outposts can incorporate local resources to reduce mission costs and logistical burdens. Nehls’ research bridges materials science and structural engineering, testing the viability of regolith-based construction under simulated space conditions. Her work has informed subsequent studies on habitat design and additive manufacturing in space, laying groundwork for sustainable off-world infrastructure. By proving that simple, deployable structures can be built from lunar dirt, Nehls has helped shift the paradigm from “bring everything from Earth” to “live off the land,” a critical step toward permanent human presence beyond our planet.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1A One-Piece Lunar Regolith Bag Garage Prototype11 citations · 2007