Isha Kandaswamy
Papers
2
Total Citations
32
H-Index
2
About
Isha Kandaswamy is a leading researcher in space robotics, specializing in telerobotic control and on-orbit satellite servicing. Her work addresses the critical challenge of performing complex manipulation tasks in space under significant telemetry time delays, where human operators on Earth must guide robots orbiting hundreds of kilometers away. Kandaswamy’s most impactful contribution is her development of model-based telerobotic control with virtual fixtures—a delay-tolerant methodology that enables precise, safe satellite servicing despite communication lags of several seconds. Her 2013 paper on this approach has garnered 27 citations, establishing a foundational technique for the field. She has also advanced practical servicing capabilities through her work on the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), developing strategies and models for cutting satellite insulation tape to access fuel valves—a critical preparatory step for in-space refueling. Her research directly supports the future of sustainable space operations, enabling the repair, refueling, and life extension of valuable satellites rather than abandoning them as debris. For students and researchers in robotics and aerospace engineering, Kandaswamy’s work exemplifies how innovative control strategies can overcome the fundamental constraints of space teleoperation.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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