Sam Pedrotty

About

Sam Pedrotty is a key figure in precision landing and hazard avoidance (PL&HA) technologies for space exploration. His research centers on advanced guidance, navigation, and control algorithms that enable spacecraft to land safely and accurately on planetary surfaces, with a particular focus on lunar missions. Pedrotty’s most notable contribution is his work on the SPLICE (Safe and Precise Landing—Integrated Capability Evolution) Project, which integrates cutting-edge sensors and algorithms to provide spacecraft with autonomous landing capabilities. His 2021 paper on SPLICE has garnered 19 citations, reflecting its importance in the field. In a 2022 study, he conducted a post-flight performance analysis of navigation and advanced guidance algorithms on a terrestrial suborbital rocket flight, earning 12 citations. This work demonstrated the real-world viability of these algorithms for future lunar landers. Pedrotty’s research directly supports NASA’s Artemis program and other initiatives aimed at returning humans to the Moon, making him a vital contributor to the next era of space exploration.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   The SPLICE Project: Safe and Precise Landing Technology Development and Testing

   19 citations · 2021
2. 2
   Post-Flight Performance Analysis of Navigation and Advanced Guidance Algorithms on a Terrestrial Suborbital Rocket Flight

   12 citations · 2022

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links