Soundarya Sampathkumar
Papers
1
Total Citations
3
H-Index
1
About
Soundarya Sampathkumar is a pioneering aerospace engineer whose work sits at the intersection of robotics, materials science, and orbital debris mitigation. Her most notable contribution is the development of **REACCH** (Reactive Electro-Adhesive Capture Cloth), a novel end-effector inspired by octopus tentacles. Designed for the safe grappling of both cooperative and non-cooperative space debris, REACCH combines formable electro-adhesion with gecko-inspired adhesive cloth, offering a compliant, low-impact capture mechanism that avoids the risks of traditional rigid grippers. This work, conducted at USC’s Space Engineering Research Center (SERC) in collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has garnered significant attention (3 citations) for its potential to revolutionize active debris removal. Sampathkumar’s research addresses one of the most pressing challenges in modern spaceflight—the growing cloud of orbital junk—by providing a scalable, reusable, and gentle capture solution. Her interdisciplinary approach, merging soft robotics with electrostatics, positions her as a rising leader in sustainable space operations.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1