T. P. McElrath
Papers
1
Total Citations
9
H-Index
1
About
T. P. McElrath is a leading figure in planetary mission design and lunar exploration, with a focus on advancing human and robotic sample return capabilities. His most cited work, the 2013 paper on the Orion/MoonRise mission concept, proposes an ambitious plan to retrieve samples from the Moon’s far-side South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPAB)—one of the largest and oldest impact basins in the solar system. This concept integrates a robotic Sample Return Vehicle (SRV) derived from NASA’s MoonRise mission architecture with the Orion crew vehicle, aiming to combine human oversight with robotic precision for unprecedented scientific return. With 9 citations, this paper has influenced discussions on future lunar exploration strategies, particularly in leveraging crewed missions for complex sample collection. McElrath’s contributions underscore his expertise in mission design, trajectory optimization, and the practical challenges of deep-space sample return. His work remains a touchstone for researchers and students interested in the intersection of human spaceflight and robotic exploration, offering a visionary yet technically grounded pathway to unlocking the Moon’s geological secrets.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1