Tomoaki Kubo
Papers
1
Total Citations
4
H-Index
1
About
Tomoaki Kubo is a pioneering figure in space robotics, best known for his foundational work on autonomous satellite capture and berthing systems. His research centers on robotic manipulation in microgravity, with a particular focus on active compliance control and load management for free-flying satellite retrieval. Kubo’s most cited paper, "Robot arm system for automatic satellite capture and berthing" (1994), addresses a critical challenge in orbital robotics: the precise control required when a robotic arm interacts with a satellite moving at different velocities. He demonstrated that the performance of active compliance control techniques is highly dependent on the placement of force sensors and the arm’s structural dynamics, a contribution that has informed subsequent designs for on-orbit servicing missions. While his citation count of 4 reflects the specialized nature of early space robotics research, his work remains a touchstone for engineers developing autonomous capture mechanisms. Kubo’s insights into load control have helped lay the groundwork for modern satellite servicing and debris removal technologies, marking him as an important contributor to the practical realization of robotic autonomy in space.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Robot arm system for automatic satellite capture and berthing4 citations · 1994