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About

Kjetil Wormnes is a leading figure in space robotics, specializing in teleoperation and human-robot interaction for planetary exploration. His research focuses on enabling precise, intuitive control of robots from orbit, a critical capability for future Moon and Mars missions. Wormnes’s major contribution is the development and validation of force-feedback telemanipulation, allowing astronauts to “feel” the geology of distant worlds. His 2022 paper on this topic, which has garnered 45 citations, demonstrates how haptic feedback can overcome the challenges of unstructured, remote environments. He also spearheaded the European Space Agency’s ANALOG-1 experiment, a landmark series of 12 METERON missions culminating in a 2022 paper (16 citations). This work proved the feasibility of teleoperating a robotic asset from the International Space Station, integrating technical systems, user interfaces, and operational protocols. Wormnes’s achievements are pivotal for in situ resource utilization and scientific research, bridging the gap between orbital assets and surface exploration. His research directly supports ESA’s roadmap for robotic moon exploration, making him a key architect of humanity’s next giant leap.