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About

Jay W. McMahon is a leading figure in astrodynamics and autonomous space systems, whose work bridges the gap between theoretical mechanics and practical spacecraft operations. His primary research areas include spacecraft relative motion planning, autonomous science operations for planetary exploration, and the dynamics of rubble pile asteroids. McMahon’s most impactful contribution is his development of astrodynamics-informed kinodynamic sampling-based motion planning, which enables spacecraft to autonomously reconfigure under simultaneous kinematic and dynamic constraints—a critical advancement for proximity operations and formation flying. His work on autonomous science planning, particularly the REASON-RECOURSE software, addresses the challenge of in-situ discovery on distant bodies like Europa and Enceladus, where time delays preclude human-in-the-loop control. Additionally, his innovative concept of Area-of-Effect Softbots (AoES) proposes soft-robotic spacecraft that leverage adhesive forces to dismantle rubble pile asteroids, opening new avenues for planetary defense and resource utilization. With over 16 citations across his top papers, McMahon’s research is shaping the future of autonomous space exploration. His contributions are particularly notable for their interdisciplinary approach, combining astrodynamics, robotics, and artificial intelligence to solve complex real-world problems in spaceflight.