ICRA 2023: Undergraduate Megan Michaud Presents Satellite Testbed Research

Megan Michaud, an undergraduate researcher in Clarkson University's Astronautics and Robotics Laboratory (ASTRO Lab), presented her robotic satellite testbed research for emulation of small spacecraft orbital motion at the ICRA 2023 conference in London, UK. The conference, which was held from May 23-28, 2023, drew over 4,000 attendees from around the world.

The goal of Megan’s project is to design a mobile robotic system that can simulate the full motion of a small spacecraft in orbit. This would allow researchers to test new technologies and procedures for close-proximity operations in space, such as debris capture and on-orbit object mapping. Her presentation on her satellite testbed was well-received by the audience and generated a lot of interest. Her work is funded in part by the NASA New York Space Grant Women in STEM Fellowship and the Clarkson Honors Educational Enhancement Scholarship (HEES). Megan’s research is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to make a significant impact on the field of space robotics. Her work could help to develop new technologies and procedures for close-proximity operations in space, which could make space exploration safer and more efficient.

"I'm excited to have had the opportunity to present my research at ICRA," said Megan. "It was a great opportunity to share my work with other researchers in the field and to learn about the latest advances in space robotics."

The NASA New York Space Grant Women in STEM Fellowship is a program that supports women in STEM who are pursuing research in space-related fields. The fellowship provides funding for research expenses, as well as travel and conference expenses. The fellowship has helped to support a wide range of research projects, from the development of new space technologies to the study of space weather.

The Clarkson’s Honor Program offers unique experiential learning opportunities to prepare promising Clarkson students. The HEES supports “high impact” experiences, including conference presentations.