Ted Morse

Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (United States)

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Ted Morse is a pioneering roboticist whose work bridges the gap between human exploration and autonomous systems in space. His research centers on telerobotics, free-flying space robots, and robotic reconnaissance for planetary surfaces. Morse’s most notable contribution is the development of Smart SPHERES, a prototype free-flying robot based on the SPHERES platform, designed to assist astronauts with intravehicular activities (IVA) aboard spacecraft. This system can be remotely operated by astronauts or ground controllers, showcasing a critical step toward autonomous assistance in microgravity. With 41 citations, this work has influenced how robots can augment human capabilities in orbit. Morse also led the development of Gigapan Voyage, a self-contained, remotely-operable panoramic imaging system integrated onto Johnson Space Center’s Lunar Electric Rovers for robotic reconnaissance. Though newer, this project demonstrates his commitment to advancing robotic tools for lunar exploration. As a key member of the Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA Ames Research Center, Morse’s innovations in telerobotic free-flyers and surface reconnaissance systems have laid the groundwork for safer, more efficient human-robot collaboration in space.