Jesse Cushing
Papers
1
Total Citations
16
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Jesse Cushing is a pioneering aerospace engineer whose work is redefining the future of space infrastructure. His primary research focuses on in-space manufacturing and autonomous robotic construction, with a visionary goal of enabling kilometer-scale apertures and large space systems that are simply impossible to launch from Earth. Cushing’s most notable contribution is his leadership of the SpiderFab project, a groundbreaking initiative that proposes a paradigm shift from building spacecraft on the ground to fabricating and integrating key components directly on-orbit. His seminal 2018 paper, "SpiderFab: Process for On-Orbit Construction of Kilometer-Scale Apertures," has garnered 16 citations and serves as a foundational blueprint for the field. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using robotic truss-builders to autonomously construct massive structures, such as antennas and telescopes, in space. By eliminating the volume and mass constraints of launch fairings, Cushing’s research promises to unlock unprecedented capabilities for astronomy, Earth observation, and space-based power. His achievements represent a bold step toward a future where humanity builds its largest and most ambitious assets not on Earth, but among the stars.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1SpiderFab: Process for On-Orbit Construction of Kilometer-Scale Apertures16 citations · 2018