Samantha Glassner

United States Naval Research Laboratory, Northeastern University

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Samantha Glassner is a pioneering roboticist whose research lies at the intersection of space exploration, autonomous assembly, and STEM education. Her most impactful work addresses the formidable challenge of robotic manipulation in orbit. In her highly cited 2021 survey, "Grappling Spacecraft," Glassner provides a comprehensive roadmap for designing vehicles capable of approaching and grappling free-flying client satellites using robotic arms—a critical capability for satellite servicing and debris removal. She further advances this field with experimental work on autonomous multi-robot assembly of solar array modules, demonstrating how heterogeneous teams can construct large space structures using state estimation and mobile parallel manipulators. Her 2017 paper on structure assembly by heterogeneous robot teams, while smaller in citation count, offers foundational insights into distributed construction with specialized robots. Beyond technical contributions, Glassner is committed to broadening participation in engineering; her 2013 paper on promoting STEM education through local school-industry collaboration exemplifies her dedication to mutual-benefit partnerships that inspire the next generation. With over 30 total citations, Glassner’s work bridges theoretical algorithms and hardware experimentation, positioning her as a leading voice in the future of autonomous space robotics.