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About

Marc Pomerantz is a robotics and space systems researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), whose work spans planetary rover simulation, autonomous maritime systems, robotic modeling, and mission visualization technologies. His most influential contribution, the ROAMS physics-based simulator for planetary surface rovers (2003, 76 citations), established a foundational tool for modeling rover mechanics, electrical systems, and sensors in preparation for real planetary missions. This work demonstrated his early commitment to bridging high-fidelity simulation with practical space exploration needs. Pomerantz has since broadened his impact across multiple domains. His development of the CARACaS multi-agent autonomy framework enabled coordinated unmanned surface vehicles in real-world harbor patrol demonstrations, showcasing the transferability of NASA-derived autonomy technology to maritime applications. The M3tk toolkit further reflects his expertise in articulated robotic system modeling, while his ongoing work in interactive 3D visualization — culminating in tools like Ranger and telemetry-based digital twin environments — has made real-time mission monitoring more accessible and effective across deep space and Earth-orbiting missions. With a career defined by practical innovation at the intersection of simulation, autonomy, and human-robot interfaces, Pomerantz represents the kind of versatile systems engineer whose contributions quietly underpin some of NASA's most ambitious robotic endeavors.