Erich Kraemer

About

Erich Kraemer is a leading figure in space robotics, whose work has been instrumental in advancing autonomous systems for orbital operations. His research centers on the design and development of dexterous robotic manipulators and grippers for the extreme environment of space, with a key focus on enabling robotic capture and servicing of uncooperative targets. Kraemer’s major contributions include the development of the Dexhand, a space-qualified multi-fingered robotic hand (40 citations), which represents a critical step toward replicating human dexterity in orbit. He also played a pivotal role in the European Space Agency’s e.Deorbit mission, where his team devised a concept for the robotic capture and de-orbit of large, tumbling debris like ENVISAT (7 citations), a cornerstone of the Clean Space initiative. Earlier in his career, he contributed to the Chinese Intelligent Space Robotic System (14 citations) and pioneered reconfigurable modular robot arms (5 citations), demonstrating that a single arm could be folded and adapted for multiple tasks. Kraemer’s work directly addresses the challenge of performing complex maintenance and debris removal without human intervention, making him a key architect of the future of autonomous space operations.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Dexhand: A Space qualified multi-fingered robotic hand

   40 citations · 2011
2. 2
   Development of the Chinese Intelligent Space Robotic System

   14 citations · 2006
3. 3
   Robotic Capture and De-Orbit of a Heavy, Uncooperative and Tumbling Target in Low Earth Orbit

   7 citations · 2015
4. 4
   Robotic Aspects and Analyses in the Scope of the e.deorbit Mission Phase B1

   5 citations · 2017
5. 5
   Development of Reconfigurable Space Robot Arm

   5 citations · 2006

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links