Jesse Fusco

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About

Jesse Fusco is a key figure in the development of autonomous robotic systems for microgravity environments, with his work centered on free-flying robot navigation and software architecture for space operations. His most impactful contribution is the localization approach for the Astrobee robot, a free-flying system designed to navigate autonomously inside the International Space Station (ISS). This foundational paper, with 33 citations, details how Astrobee uses visual landmarks for precise positioning without external markers—a critical capability for operating in the dynamic, cluttered ISS environment. Fusco’s subsequent work on the Astrobee Robot Software (6 citations) further showcases his expertise, describing a modern, modular software system that enables markerless navigation, autonomous docking for recharging, and perching on handrails to conserve power. This software allows Astrobee to operate without direct crew support, accommodating modular payloads for guest scientists to run zero-gravity experiments. By enabling reliable, autonomous operations in one of the most challenging environments—space—Fusco’s contributions advance the frontier of robotic assistance for astronauts and scientific research, demonstrating how robust software and localization can transform space exploration.