Helena Pongrac
Papers
2
Total Citations
39
H-Index
2
About
Helena Pongrac is a pioneering researcher in telepresence and human-robot interaction, with a focused expertise in applying telepresent control to on-orbit servicing (OOS). Her most impactful work, "Ground verification of the feasibility of telepresent on‐orbit servicing" (2009, 37 citations), provides foundational evidence that telepresence can achieve "transparent" states—where operators feel directly immersed in a remote environment—for space-based robotic tasks. This contribution is critical for advancing autonomous satellite repair and orbital maintenance. Pongrac also investigated how international network delays and simulated inertia affect operator performance in "A virtual scenario to test the influence of an international network and simulated inertia on telepresence performance" (2006, 2 citations), highlighting the challenges of long-distance robotic control. Her research bridges virtual reality, haptics, and space engineering, offering practical insights for future space missions. By demonstrating the feasibility of telepresent OOS, Pongrac has laid groundwork for safer, more efficient extraterrestrial operations, making her a notable figure in the intersection of teleoperation and aerospace technology.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Ground verification of the feasibility of telepresent on‐orbit servicing37 citations · 2009
- 2