Matthew W. Nugent

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About

Matthew W. Nugent is a leading researcher in planetary construction and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), with a focus on developing technologies to build infrastructure on extraterrestrial surfaces using local materials. His most cited work, "Additive Construction Using Basalt Regolith Fines" (2015, 34 citations), addresses a critical challenge for long-duration space missions: how to construct habitats, landing pads, and other structures without hauling heavy building materials from Earth. Nugent’s key contribution lies in demonstrating that basalt regolith—the crushed rock covering the Moon and other planetary bodies—can be processed and used as a feedstock for additive manufacturing. By analyzing the geologic and mechanical properties of regolith fines, he has advanced methods for sintering or binding this material into durable, load-bearing components. This work has direct implications for NASA’s Artemis program and future Mars missions, where reducing launch mass is paramount. Beyond his technical findings, Nugent’s research bridges planetary geology and civil engineering, offering a sustainable blueprint for off-world construction. His citation record reflects growing interest in ISRU, and his studies remain foundational for researchers exploring autonomous construction in extreme environments.