In-Space Robotic Assembly of Large Composite Structures
Project Description
Delivering structures with a large, expanded area to space such as communications antennas is critical for space missions and exploration. Direct in-space assembly of structures from building-block elements presents a promising solution to lower logistical footprint, reduce design complexity, and enhance shape precision of mechanical structures on orbits and surfaces. This project focuses on making advances on two fronts in robotic assembly of large structures in space. We will study multifunctional thermoplastic composites with embedded nanomaterials that can be welded and unwelded repeatedly with low energy expenditure. This fundamental operation will enable constructing and repurposing structures based on changing needs. The thermal process control, strut and joint design, structural strength will be investigated via computationally and experimentally under relevant space environments. We will develop robotic systems for assembling and disassembling large truss structures made of thermoplastic composite elements. We are broadly interested in systems with high-precision manipulation and autonomous navigation. Implementation and testing of robotic systems under compensated gravity conditions will be a major component in this effort.
Start Date
January 1, 2026
PostDoc Qualifications
- Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related field
- Background in robotic systems and mechanisms
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience in robot design, robotic manipulation, space robotics.
Co-advisors
Kawai Kwok
Aeronautics and Astronautics
kawaik@purdue.edu
https://kawaikwok.com/
Yu She
Industrial Engineering
yushe@purdue.edu
https://www.purduemars.com/
Bibliography
[1] Hamillage, M. Y., Klimm, W., Kwok, K., & Fernandez, J. M. (2024). Shape recovery simulation of viscoelastic thin-ply composite coilable booms. Acta Astronautica, 215, 607–617.
[2] Ozdemir, V. B., & Kwok, K. (2022). Electro-thermo-mechanical behavior of carbon nanopaper shape memory polymer composites. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 33(3), 489–500.
[3] She, Yu, Shaoxiong Wang, Siyuan Dong, Neha Sunil, Alberto Rodriguez, and Edward Adelson. "Cable manipulation with a tactile-reactive gripper." The International Journal of Robotics Research 40, no. 12-14 (2021): 1385-1401.
[4] Meng, Deshan, Weining Lu, Wenfu Xu, Yu She, Xueqian Wang, Bin Liang, and Bo Yuan. "Vibration suppression control of free-floating space robots with flexible appendages for autonomous target capturing." Acta Astronautica 151 (2018): 904-918.
[5] Peng, Jianqing, Wenfu Xu, Zhiying Wang, and Yu She. "Dynamic analysis of the compounded system formed by dual-arm space robot and the captured target." In 2013 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO), pp. 1532-1537. IEEE, 2013.