Joel Hannah
Papers
1
Total Citations
38
H-Index
1
About
Joel Hannah is a leading figure in the development of relative navigation systems for space operations, with a particular focus on autonomous rendezvous and docking technologies. His most impactful work centers on the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 4 (SM4), where he played a pivotal role in designing and testing the Relative Navigation Sensor (RNS) system—a critical component that enabled the safe capture and repair of the telescope. In his seminal 2009 paper, "The HST SM4 Relative Navigation Sensor System," Hannah detailed the system's architecture and validated its performance through rigorous testing at NASA's Flight Robotics Lab, demonstrating its ability to provide precise, real-time relative positioning data. This work, which has garnered 38 citations, laid the groundwork for future autonomous spacecraft operations, including those used in commercial satellite servicing and NASA's Artemis program. Hannah's contributions have been recognized for bridging the gap between simulation and real-world application, ensuring that complex orbital maneuvers can be executed with unprecedented accuracy and safety. His research remains a cornerstone for engineers developing next-generation proximity operations systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1