Mikel Armendia

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About

Mikel Armendia is a researcher at the forefront of space robotics and advanced manufacturing, specializing in the control of robotic manipulators for high-stakes applications. His primary research areas include impedance control, visual servoing, and force-feedback systems, with a particular focus on spacecraft on-orbit servicing (OOS)—a transformative technology for refueling, repairing, and updating satellites in space. Armendia’s most cited work (2019, 14 citations) introduces impedance control for safe and reliable docking with client satellites, a critical step in OOS missions. He further advanced this field in 2020 (6 citations) by combining visual servoing with force/torque feedback to guide manipulators through approach and contact phases, enhancing autonomy and precision. Beyond space applications, Armendia has contributed to industrial manufacturing, developing an NC-controlled robot for adaptive, constant-force 3D polishing (2022, 3 citations), addressing demands for improved path tracking and dynamics in direct manufacturing processes. His work bridges the gap between theoretical control strategies and real-world robotic systems, with potential impacts on satellite longevity and industrial automation. Armendia’s research is essential reading for engineers and students interested in the intersection of robotics, control systems, and space technology.