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About

Lorraine Fesq is a leading researcher in spacecraft autonomy, fault management, and model-based diagnostic systems, whose work has helped shape how NASA and the broader space community approach intelligent, self-sufficient robotic spacecraft. Her most-cited contribution, "Autonomy for Space Robots: Past, Present, and Future" (2021, 124 citations), provides a comprehensive review of autonomy advances across all mission phases, establishing her as a prominent voice in charting the field's trajectory. Fesq has been instrumental in advancing model-based fault diagnosis (MBFD), developing frameworks that enable spacecraft to detect, identify, and respond to anomalies without ground intervention — a capability increasingly critical as missions venture deeper into space with limited communication windows. Her FRESCO framework and earlier model-based autonomy work demonstrate her sustained commitment to translating theoretical advances into operational systems, including validated flight implementations on CubeSat platforms. Through papers addressing fault management guiding principles and assurance methodologies, she has also contributed essential rigor to ensuring these autonomous systems are trustworthy and mission-ready. With over 160 cumulative citations across a decade of influential publications, Fesq's research continues to underpin the next generation of resilient, autonomous space exploration systems.