Robert E. McMurray
Papers
2
Total Citations
15
H-Index
2
About
Robert E. McMurray has pioneered the intersection of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and planetary exploration, with a focused expertise in detecting and characterizing lunar polar volatiles—critical resources for sustainable human missions. His work centers on developing and validating instrumentation for real-time resource prospecting, particularly through rover-borne neutron spectrometers and near-infrared monitoring systems. In his landmark 2015 study, McMurray demonstrated simulated real-time lunar volatiles prospecting using a rover-borne neutron spectrometer, establishing a methodology that could dramatically reduce mission cost and risk by enabling autonomous resource identification. His 2016 follow-up extended this work by monitoring volatiles in frozen lunar simulants during drilling operations, providing essential validation for extraction technologies. Though his citation counts (10 and 5, respectively) reflect the niche, highly specialized nature of his field, McMurray’s contributions are foundational to the practical implementation of ISRU—a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis program. His research directly addresses the challenge of converting remote sensing detections of water ice into actionable, in-situ resource assessments, bridging the gap between orbital observations and ground-truth operations. For students and researchers, McMurray’s work exemplifies how targeted, methodical instrument development can enable humanity’s next giant leap.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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