Nuno dos Santos

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Nuno dos Santos is a leading researcher in space robotics and autonomous systems, with a focus on active debris removal and in-orbit servicing. His most cited work, the COMRADE project (Combined Control for Robotic Spacecraft and Manipulator in Servicing Missions), tackles the critical challenge of safely capturing and refuelling defunct satellites using coordinated control of a spacecraft and its robotic arm. This research addresses a pressing issue: the growing threat of space debris to operational satellites and future missions. By developing integrated control strategies that ensure stability during contact with uncooperative targets, dos Santos’s contributions have laid groundwork for safer, more reliable robotic servicing operations. His work is particularly notable for its practical implications—enabling refuelling and repair missions that could extend satellite lifetimes and reduce space junk. With over 4 citations on his flagship paper, dos Santos’s research is gaining traction among engineers and mission planners. His achievements highlight a career dedicated to advancing autonomous space operations, making him a key figure in the push toward sustainable space exploration.