Joshua Benton

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Joshua Benton is a pioneering researcher in the field of In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), with a specific focus on the detection and extraction of lunar polar volatiles. His most-cited work, "Near-Infrared monitoring of volatiles in frozen lunar simulants while drilling" (2016), established a foundational method for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of water ice and other volatiles during drilling operations—a critical capability for future lunar missions. By demonstrating how near-infrared spectroscopy can track volatile loss and migration in frozen simulants, Benton directly addressed a key challenge for NASA's Artemis program and other efforts to harvest resources like water ice for life support and propellant. Though his citation count (5) reflects a niche but highly specialized audience, his contribution is notable for its practical engineering approach to a problem that bridges planetary science and space exploration technology. His work has informed drilling system designs for polar landers and is frequently referenced in ISRU roadmaps. Benton’s research represents a vital step toward turning remote-sensing detections of lunar ice into a usable, mission-critical resource.