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About

William Chapin is an emerging researcher at the forefront of in-space assembly (ISA) and autonomous robotics, with a focus on enabling the next generation of large-scale space infrastructure. His most recognized work centers on the Built On-orbit Robotically assembled Gigatruss (BORG) architecture, a pioneering framework that combines robotic assembly techniques to construct massive space structures beyond the limitations of traditional deployable systems. His 2023 trade study on BORG's mixed assembly architecture has already garnered 5 citations, reflecting its relevance to the rapidly evolving field of on-orbit servicing and construction. Chapin has also made notable contributions to robotic mechanism design, particularly through his research on force-controlled pose optimization for chained Stewart platforms — parallel robotic systems offering superior stiffness and precision for assembly tasks. Alongside this, his earlier work on autonomous sequence planning, structural error detection, and hardware prototyping laid critical groundwork for practical ISA systems. Collectively, his publications demonstrate a coherent research vision: making autonomous, robust, and scalable space assembly a tangible reality. For students and researchers exploring the future of space robotics and infrastructure, Chapin's work represents an important and rapidly developing body of scholarship.