Steve Trigwell

The Graduate Center, CUNY, Boston University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Steve Trigwell is a leading figure in planetary dust mitigation, whose research directly supports NASA’s ambitions for human and robotic exploration beyond Earth. His primary focus lies in understanding the complex dynamics of lunar and Martian dust, a critical hazard for future missions. Trigwell’s work uniquely bridges electrostatics and gravitational physics to explain how fine, abrasive particles behave in airless environments. His seminal 2010 paper, “Lunar and Martian Dust Dynamics,” with 10 citations, provides foundational insights into the transport mechanisms that transform pristine lunar regolith into a persistent threat to equipment and astronaut health. In his 2008 study on electrostatic and gravitational transport, Trigwell detailed how the Moon’s ultrahigh vacuum preserves dust in a state that defies simple prediction, making his models essential for designing effective mitigation strategies. By quantifying how dust adheres and moves under low-gravity, high-static conditions, Trigwell has shaped the engineering requirements for spacesuits, landers, and habitats. His contributions are not merely academic; they are a practical roadmap for overcoming one of the most daunting obstacles to sustainable off-world exploration.