Eric Reiners
Papers
1
Total Citations
5
H-Index
1
About
Eric Reiners is a leading figure in the field of space resource utilization, with a primary focus on robotic mining and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies. His work centers on the extraction of critical materials—such as water ice, metals, and volatiles—from lunar and planetary regolith to enable sustainable human exploration beyond Earth. Reiners’ major contribution is his comprehensive taxonomy and technology review of the NASA Lunabotics Robotic Mining Competition, spanning its first decade (2010–2019). This seminal paper, cited 5 times, systematically categorizes the evolving robotic designs and mining strategies, providing a foundational reference for researchers and engineers developing autonomous excavation systems for space. By analyzing over 100 university teams’ approaches, Reiners identified key technological trends and challenges, directly informing the design of future ISRU missions. His work underscores the critical role of extracting propellants from lunar water ice and regolith, a necessary step for reducing mission costs and enabling long-duration spaceflight. Reiners’ research bridges academic innovation and practical space engineering, making him a pivotal voice in the quest for off-world resource independence.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1