iSpaRo 2024
The International Conference on Space Robotics (iSpaRo) is a new conference that is set to take place in Luxembourg from 24-26 June 2024. The conference aims to provide a framework for scientists and industry experts to engage in fruitful discussions and share their insights on the emerging topic of space robotics. In recent years, it has become clear that existing robotics conferences, are too big to engage with new topics such as space robotics. Similarly, the most of the Aerospace conferences, do not have an exhaustive scientific peer-review process like robotics conferences, because these are focussed on networking. The iSpaRo conference seeks to fill this gap by providing a space for researchers and industry professionals to engage in rigorous discussions and share their latest findings in the field. The iSpaRo conference will cover a range of topics but not limited to Planetary exploration, Manipulation in Space, Teleoperation, Perception for robotics in Space, Orbital servicing and debris removal, Multi-robot cooperation/collaboration, Space robotic locomotion & Terramechanics, Space Assembly and construction, and Orbital robotics. The conference aims to push the boundaries of the field of space robotics by exploring new research and development opportunities. The conference will feature speakers from both industry and academia with expert backgrounds, providing attendees with valuable insights and perspectives on the latest advancements in the field. The iSpaRo conference also aims to create a network of researchers and industry professionals on this topic, including the new generations, fostering future collaborations and innovations. This conference is technically co-sponsored by the IEEE Technical Committee on Space Robotics. Accepted papers will be submitted for inclusion into IEEE Xplore subject to meeting IEEE Xplore’s scope and quality requirements.
The iSpaRo 2024 will be held at Neumünster Abbey , Luxembourg, as a 3-day conference. It will start on 24th June 2024. The conference follows a standard IEEE single-track format, combining general tracks, keynotes, and panels. Two blocks in the morning and three blocks, including a poster session in the afternoon, with coffee and lunch breaks in between. The session titles are :
- Planetary Robotics
- Manipulation in Space: Space Assembly and construction
- Orbital servicing and debris removal
- Locomotion and Terramechanics
- From Earth to Space / Extreme environments
Each of the first two days, two keynotes will be organized, and for the final day, a panel discussion with experts from industry, academia, and the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) is proposed. The rationale for the structure of the conference is to single track trying to create a strong linked community related to the different topics on Space Robotics. In addition, this conference aims to strengthen the bonds between academia and industry. To ensure that the conference is targeted to have at least one keynote from industry and an exhibition hall organized in separate booths with participants from industry and academia. In these booths, the exhibitors will be able to present their robots and the latest developments. Furthermore, iSpaRo is expected to exemplify gender balance and support for women in STEM.
Organisation committee
- General Chair: Prof. Miguel Olivares-Mendez (M), University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- General Co-Chair: Prof. Genya Ishigami (M), Keio University, Japan.
- Prof. Frances Zhu (F), University of Hawaii, US.
- Prof. Kathleen C. Howell (F), Purdue University, USA.
- Prof. Kazuya Yoshida (M), Tohoku University, Japan
- Prof. Teresa Vidal Calleja (F), University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
- Prof. Simone D'Amico (M), Stanford University, USA.
- Dr. Vandi Verma (F), NASA JPL, USA.
- Dr. Hendrik Kolvenbach (M), ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
- Dr. Carol Martinez (F), University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
- Dr. David Rodriguez (M), EPFL Space Center, Switzerland.
- Prof. Yang Gao (F), University of Surrey , UK.
- Dr. Armin Wedler (M), German Space Agency (DLR), Germany.
- Dr. Barbara Imhof (F), LIQUIFER Systems Group, Austria.
- Prof. Simon Bøgh (M), Aalborg University, Denmark
- Dr. Caroline Specht (F), German Space Agency (DLR), Germany.
- Prof. Carlos Perez del Pulgar, (M), University of Malaga, Spain.
- Dr. Navinda Kottege (M), Robotics and Autonomous Systems Group (CSIRO), Australia
Tentative topics list:
- • Planetary exploration
- • Manipulation in Space
- • Teleoperation
- • Orbital servicing and debris removal
- • Multi-robot cooperation/collaboration
- • Space robotic locomotion + Terramechanics
- • Space Assembly and construction
- • From Earth to Space/Extreme environments
- • In-situ Resource Utilization
- • Satellite formation-flying
- • Satellite swarms
- • Prox ops/rendezvous/docking
- • Fractionated spacecraft and constellations