Mary Hovater

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Mary Hovater is a pioneering researcher in the field of extraterrestrial construction and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), with a particular focus on lunar infrastructure. Her most notable contribution is the development of a one-piece lunar regolith bag garage prototype, a groundbreaking concept that demonstrates how shelter structures on the Moon can be built using local materials even in the earliest phases of exploration. By designing and constructing this unpressurized garage prototype, and conducting parallel materials testing on simulated lunar regolith, Hovater has laid essential groundwork for sustainable human presence beyond Earth. Her work addresses a critical challenge in space architecture: reducing reliance on Earth-supplied materials by leveraging lunar soil for protective structures. While her citation count of 11 reflects the niche and emerging nature of her field, the conceptual and practical significance of her research is substantial—it has informed subsequent studies on regolith-based construction and ISRU strategies. Hovater’s innovative approach to integrating material science with structural design positions her as a key early contributor to the future of lunar habitat development.