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About

Diego Urbina is a versatile aerospace and robotics engineer whose research spans two compelling frontiers: space resource utilization and advanced robotic systems for extreme environments. His most influential contribution, "Solar Sintering for Lunar Additive Manufacturing" (2019, 125 citations), demonstrates how concentrated solar energy could be harnessed to 3D-print structures directly from lunar regolith — a potentially transformative capability for establishing sustainable moon bases without costly Earth-launched materials. This work has become a foundational reference in the growing field of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Urbina has also made significant contributions to underwater robotics through the DexROV project, developing dexterous remotely operated vehicles capable of performing complex subsea interventions despite communication latency challenges — directly addressing cost and safety concerns in offshore oil, gas, and scientific exploration industries. Collectively, the DexROV publications have accumulated over 70 citations, reflecting their practical relevance to industry. His sustained involvement in lunar exploration continues through the LUVMI and LUVMI-X missions, advancing robotic prospecting of water ice at the Moon's South Pole. Across his career, Urbina exemplifies a researcher who bridges experimental engineering and real-world mission development, making him a notable figure for students interested in space robotics and planetary resource exploration.