David Sternberg
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, IIT@MIT, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Papers
5
Total Citations
61
H-Index
4
About
David Sternberg is a leading researcher in autonomous robotic operations for space, with a focus on on-orbit satellite assembly, servicing, and close-proximity maneuvers. His work bridges simulation and experimental validation, most notably through the development of a tethered microgravity robot pair tested on a planar air bearing—a foundational contribution that has garnered 21 citations and remains a key reference for ground-based emulation of space robotics. Sternberg’s multidisciplinary system design optimization of on-orbit satellite assembly architectures (20 citations) has reshaped how engineers approach the trade-offs between monolithic launches and modular, in-space construction. He also designed a reconfigurable ground and flight testing facility for robotic servicing, capture, and assembly (12 citations), providing a versatile platform for validating multi-satellite operations. More recently, Sternberg demonstrated the Dyna reinforcement learning framework for reactive close-proximity operations (2025), advancing autonomous decision-making for free-flying inspectors. His work on mapping a chaser satellite’s feasibility space for soft docking (2017) further refines the safety and success criteria for autonomous rendezvous. With a career defined by rigorous experimental validation and forward-looking system-level thinking, Sternberg is shaping the future of autonomous in-space robotics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5Mapping a chaser satellite's feasibility space for soft docking4 citations · 2017