Ramesh B. Malla
Papers
8
Total Citations
161
H-Index
6
About
Ramesh B. Malla is a leading figure in aerospace engineering and infrastructure for extreme environments, with his work cited over 160 times. His primary research focuses on the mechanics of planetary exploration, particularly the development and analysis of percussive drilling mechanisms for subsurface sampling on the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Malla’s major contributions include creating analytical and elastoplastic contact models to simulate the dynamic impact forces within special drills like the Auto-Gopher and Ultrasonic/Sonic Driller/Corer (USDC), developed by NASA JPL and Honeybee Robotics. These models are critical for designing robust, lightweight drilling systems that can withstand repeated longitudinal impacts in harsh, low-gravity conditions. Beyond drilling mechanics, Malla has significantly shaped the field through his editorial leadership, organizing the prestigious Earth & Space conferences (2006 and 2010), which produced seminal proceedings on engineering, construction, and operations in challenging environments, including granular materials behavior. His work bridges theoretical mechanics with practical NASA mission needs, making him a key contributor to advancing autonomous planetary subsurface exploration.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Longitudinal Impact Force on a Special Drill for Planetary Exploration7 citations · 2015
- 7
- 8