Dennis Franke

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dennis Franke is a leading figure in planetary robotics, specializing in the design and control of locomotion systems for extreme extraterrestrial environments. His primary research focuses on developing robust, biologically inspired rovers capable of navigating the challenging terrains of moons and asteroids. Franke’s most significant contribution is his work on the **MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) rover**, a collaborative mission with JAXA, CNES, and DLR. His 2020 paper on the rover’s locomotion system, which has garnered 21 citations, details the engineering behind a vehicle designed to traverse the low-gravity, rubble-strewn surface of Phobos to answer fundamental questions about the moon’s origin. Beyond MMX, Franke is advancing the state of the art with the **DLR Scout Rover**, a novel cave-exploration robot featuring rimless wheels and bio-inspired gaits. His 2022 paper on the Scout’s toolchain, with 5 citations, outlines a development framework for this inherently robust system. Through these projects, Franke is not only solving immediate engineering challenges but also pioneering the mobility concepts that will enable future missions to explore the most inaccessible and scientifically valuable locations in the solar system.