Papers
4
Total Citations
9
H-Index
2
About
Justin C. Brannan is a leading researcher in the field of on-orbit satellite servicing and space robotics, with a focus on the complex dynamics of flexible-body spacecraft. His work addresses a critical challenge: enabling robotic platforms to safely capture and interact with satellites that were never designed for servicing, particularly those with large, flexible appendages like solar panels. Brannan’s major contributions include pioneering the modeling and simulation of physical interactions between two free-floating spacecraft, a key element for future satellite repair and life-extension missions. His 2013 paper on real-time flexible-body dynamics in robotic systems has garnered 3 citations, while his 2017 study on capturing satellites with flexible modes has received 2 citations. Notably, his 2020 work on a hybrid strategy for evaluating on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing technologies—developed under NASA’s Exploration and In-Space Services (ExIS) Project Division—provides a framework for reducing mission cost and risk. Brannan’s research is foundational for the next generation of space infrastructure, where robotic servicing will transform how we maintain and upgrade assets in orbit.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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