Papers
13
Total Citations
143
H-Index
8
About
D. W. Miller is a multidisciplinary researcher whose work spans space systems engineering, autonomous robotics, and surgical innovation. Best known for contributions to in-space assembly and autonomous robotic systems, Miller has advanced the frontier of large-aperture space telescope development, most notably through the ALMOST (Assembly of a Large Modular Optical Telescope) program, which demonstrated hardware-in-the-loop validation of robotic assembly at geosynchronous and Earth-Sun Lagrange Point 2 orbits. His research into autonomous on-orbit assembly, including dynamic control model generation for reconfiguring robotic assemblers, has helped establish a roadmap for cost-effective, human-independent space construction. Miller also co-founded the ZERO-Robotics program aboard the International Space Station, engaging high school students in real satellite programming challenges—a landmark achievement in space-based STEM education. His work on the SPHERES satellite facility further contributed to close-proximity spacecraft control. More recently, he has explored information-aware motion planning and inertial parameter learning for free-flying robots in safety-critical environments. Notably, his portfolio also includes early clinical research on robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery at the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. Across these diverse contributions, Miller has accumulated over 130 citations, reflecting sustained impact across aerospace engineering, robotics, and medicine.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Assembly of a Large Modular Optical Telescope (ALMOST)27 citations · 2008
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- 5ZERO-Robotics: A student competition aboard the International Space Station12 citations · 2010
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- 7On-Orbit Assembly of Flexible Space Structures with SWARM9 citations · 2010
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