Harshit Suri

Papers

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About

Harshit Suri is a pioneer in the field of autonomous in-space assembly, a critical area for the future of large-scale space infrastructure. His research focuses on the fundamental challenge of enabling robots to construct structures—such as mechanical trusses and telescopes—directly in orbit, rather than launching them pre-assembled. Suri’s major contribution is the development of a groundbreaking experimental system that simulates a weightless, frictionless environment using an air-hockey table, where small robots float and maneuver via fan propulsion. His most-cited work, "A system for in-space assembly" (2005, 37 citations), details this innovative platform, demonstrating how robots can autonomously dock with and assemble structural components. This foundational paper laid the groundwork for his subsequent design study in 2006, which refined the robot hardware for practical truss assembly. While his citation count reflects a niche but highly specialized field, Suri’s work is notable for its direct application to future NASA and commercial space missions, where his concepts for autonomous docking and assembly are being adapted for next-generation orbital construction. His research represents a critical step toward building habitats, solar arrays, and observatories in space, making him a key figure in advancing autonomous space robotics.