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Jekan Thanga

Associate Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Head of SpaceTREx Laboratory
Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Member of the Graduate Faculty
Jekan Thenga

AME N635

520.621.9638
jekan@arizona.edu

Jekan Thanga directs the Space and Terrestrial Robotic Exploration (SpaceTREx) Laboratory and the NASA-supported ASTEROIDS (Asteroid Science, Technology and Exploration Research Organized by Inclusive eDucation Systems) Laboratory at the University of Arizona. His research focuses on developing autonomous and AI-enabled robotic systems that support sustained exploration and development of the Moon, asteroids and other planetary bodies through robotic construction, autonomous infrastructure, distributed robotic systems and in-situ resource utilization.

Jekan has a background in aerospace engineering from the University of Toronto and began his career at MDA Space Missions on several landmark space robotics programs, including Canadarm, Canadarm2, and the DARPA Orbital Express autonomous spacecraft servicing mission. He received his PhD in space robotics from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) and completed his postdoctoral training at MIT's Field and Space Robotics Laboratory (FSRL).

His research spans autonomous lunar infrastructure, robotic excavation and construction, modular space structures, spacecraft swarms, autonomous assembly, small spacecraft, CubeSats, machine learning, artificial intelligence, guidance, navigation and control, deployable systems, communications, power systems and resilient robotic operations in extreme environments. His team advances in technologies from computational design and high-fidelity simulation to hardware prototyping, field testing, and ultimately flight missions.

Many of the technologies developed for planetary exploration are also applied to terrestrial challenges, including autonomous construction, mining, disaster response, environmental monitoring, critical infrastructure and other hazardous environments where robotic systems improve safety, resilience and operational capability.

Jekan has authored or co-authored more than 250 technical publications, secured more than $17 million in competitive research funding from NASA, the U.S. Space Force, AFRL, NSF, and industry, and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He and his students have received numerous national and international awards, including the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award, multiple NASA competition awards, and Best Paper Awards. In recognition of his contributions to astronautics and space robotics, the International Astronomical Union named Asteroid (20460) Jekan Thanga in his honor.

Selected Publications

Chapters

  • Thangavelautham, J. (2018). Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells and Mitigation Strategies Using System Design and Control. In Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (p. 28). London, UK: IntechOpen.

Journals/Publications

  • Kalita, H., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Strategies for Deploying a Sensor Network to Explore Planetary Lava Tubes. Sensors.
  • Schuler, T., Bowman, D., Israelvitz, J., Sofge, D., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Long duration flights in Venus’ atmosphere using passive solar hot air balloons. Acta Astronautica.
  • Kalita, H., & Thangavelautham, J. (2020). Exploration of Extreme Environments with Current and Emerging Robot Systems. Current Robotic Reports, 15.
  • Nallapu, R., Dektor, G., Kenia, N., Uglietta, J., Ichikawa, S., Choudhary, A., Herreras-Martinez, M., Asphaug, E., Chandra, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2020). Perseus: A CubeSat Mission to Phobos. Aerospace Journal, 14.
  • Nallapu, R., Schwartz, S., Thangavelautham, J., & Asphaug, E. (2020). Attitude Determination and Control of the AOSAT+ Mission Concept. IEEE Journal on Miniaturization for Air and Space Systems.
  • Nallpu, R., & Thangavelautham, J. (2020). Design and Sensitivity Analysis of Spacecraft Swarms for Planetary Moon Reconnaissance through Co-orbits. Acta Astronautica, 30.
  • Staehle, R., Babuscia, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2020). A Solar-powered Outer Solar System SmallSat (OS4) Architecture Defined. Journal of Small Satellites, 10.
  • Thangavelautham, J., & Kalita, H. (2020). Automated Design of CubeSats using Evolutionary Algorithm for Trade Space Selection. Aerospace Journal, 20.
  • Thangavelautham, J., & Nallapu, R. (2020). An Automated Design Architecture for Visual Mapping Flyby Missions of Spacecraft Swarms to Planetary Moons. Advances in Space Research, 22.
  • Robinson, M., Thangavelautham, J., Anderson, B., Deran, A., Lawrence, S., Wagner, R., Ridenoure, R., Williams, B., Dunham, D., Babuscia, A., Cheung, K., & Genova, A. (2018). Swirl: Unravelling an Enigma. Planetary and Space Sciences Special Issue, 14.
  • Thangavelautham, J. (2019). Motion Planning on an Asteroid Surface with Irregular Gravity Fields. AAS GNC Conference.
  • Asphaug, E., Thangavelautham, J., Klesh, A., Chandra, A., Nallapu, R., Raura, L., Herreras-Martinez, M., & Schwartz, S. (2017). A cubesat centrifuge for long duration milligravity research. Nature Microgravity, 5.
  • Lightholder, J., Thoesen, A., Adamson, E., Jakubowski, J., Nallapu, R., Smallwood, S., Raura, L., Klesh, A., Asphaug, E., & Thangavelautham, J. (2017). Asteroid Origins Satellite 1: An On-orbit CubeSat Centrifuge Science Laboratory. Acta Astronautica, 133, 14.
  • Thangavelautham, J. (2017). The Design of Long-Life, High-Efficiency PEM Fuel Cell Power Supplies for Low Power Sensor Networks. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 19.
  • Thangavelautham, J., Law, K., Fu, T., El Samid, N. A., Smith, A., & D'Eleuterio, G. (2017). Autonomous Multirobot Excavation for Lunar Applications. Robotica, 33.

Proceedings Publications

  • Blanchard, N., Schreiner, R., Ponder, S., Asphaug, E. I., Thangavelautham, J., & Shkarayev, S. V. (2023, Jan 24-26). “System of Drones for Caves and Lava Tubes Exploration.” In Autonomous VTOL Technical Meeting and Electric VTOL Symposium,.
  • Debbins, M., Crest, J., & Thangavelautham, J. (2022). Dynamic Altitude Control Schemes for Pico-Balloons to Explore Planetary Atmospheres. In AAS GNC Conference.
  • Diaz, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021, 03/2021). FemtoSats for Exploring Permanently Shadowed Regions on the Moon. In IEEE Aerospace 2021.
  • Diaz, A., Pedersen, C., Xu, Y., Williams, L., Chan, C., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021, 03/2021). Lunar Pits and Lava Tubes for a Modern Ark. In IEEE Aerospace 2021.
  • Diaz-Flores, A., Nichols, B., Thirupathi-Raj, A., Pedersen, C., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). On-Orbit Cryo-Centrifuge Prototype for Advancing the Lunar Ark Concept. In AAS GNC Conference.
  • Diaz-Flores, A., Pedersen, C., Xu, Y., Thirupathi-Raj, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). First Steps Towards the Lunar Ark Concept –Saving Life on Earth from a Future Catastrophe. In AIAA ASCEND.
  • Diaz-Flores, A., Thirupathi-Raj, A., Pedersen, C., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Advancing Utilization of the Moon Through Cryogenic Technologies. In International Astronautic Congress.
  • Kalita, H., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Automated Design of Robots for Exploring Extreme Environments of Mars Following an Animal Survivalist Approach. In International Astronautic Congress, 12.
  • Kalita, H., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021, 03/2021). Evaluation of Lunar Pits and Lava Tubes for Use as Human Habitats. In Earth and Space Conference 2021.
  • May, K., Kalita, H., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Simulation and Evaluation of a Mechanical Hopping Mechanism for Robotic Small Body Surface Navigation. In AIAA ASCEND.
  • Nichols, B., Thirupathi-Raj, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Modeling Lunar Anomalies For Low Altitude Small Spacecraft Lunar Missions. In AAS GNC Conference.
  • Schuler, T., Sofge, D., Debbins, M., Wheeler, L., & Thangavelautham, J. (2022). Solar High-Altitude Balloons (SHAB) as a Long Duration Controllable Aerial Platform. In SciTech 2022.
  • Smith, J., Thirupathi-Raj, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2022). Laboratory Experimental Evaluation of Docking Capabilities of Small Spacecraft Using a Stewart Platform. In AAS GNC Conference.
  • Thangavelautham, J., & Xu, Y. (2021, April). Modelling Excavation, Site-Preparation and Construction of a Lunar Mining Base Using Robot Swarms. In Earth and Space Conference 2021.
  • Thangavelautham, J., & Xu, Y. (2022). The Design of Autonomous Robotic Technologies for Lunar Launch and Landing Pad (LLP) Preparation. In IEEE Aerospace Conference.

Presentations

  • Alday, J., Paige, W., Thangavelautham, J., & Shkarayev, S. V. (2023, May). Evaluation of deployable Telescopes for Small Satellites on Asteroid Recon Missions. International Small Satellite Conference,. Passadena.
  • Nietzel, K., Greenfield, E., Dinkel, A., Thangavelautham, J., & Shkarayev, S. V. (2023). Airborne Release and Recapture of UAV from Martian balloons. Small Satelite conference.
  • Crest, J., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Pico Balloon Platform for Venusian Atmospheric Exploration. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena, CA: NASA JPL.
  • Diaz-Flores, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Spaced-based Thermal Systems Applied to Cryo-Environments. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena: NASA JPL.
  • Ippolito, S., Thangavelautham, J., & Vance, L. (2021). The Improvement of Volatile Collection Via Small Satellite Instruments. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena: NASA JPL.
  • Kalita, H., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Automated Design of Robots for Exploring Extreme Environments. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena: NASA JPL.
  • Kukkala, K., Thirupathi-Raj, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Design of Two-Stage Docking System for Autonomous Micro-Aerobots. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena, CA: NASA JPL.
  • May, K., Kalita, H., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Simulation and Evaluation of a Mechanical Hopping Mechanism for Robotic Small Body Surface Navigation. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena, CA.
  • Pedersen, C., Thangavelautham, J., & Diaz-FLores, A. (2021). Demonstrating the Feasibility of Cryopreservation in Space and Planetary Environments Using CubeSat Storage Units. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference.
  • Penny, C., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Automated Design of Off-world Multi-Robot Mining Base Using L-Systems/Bio-inspired Methods. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena, CA: NASA JPL.
  • Richards, J., Vance, L., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Advancing Secure Small Satellite Laser Communications. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena, CA: NASA JPL.
  • Thangavelautham, J., & Thirupathi-Raj, A. (2021). Advancing Small Satellite Docking Systems using Active Lighting and Cues. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena.
  • Thangavelautham, J., Lamey, Q., & Vance, L. (2021). Mobility System and Gait for Microgravity Environments. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena, CA: NASA JPL.
  • Thirupathi-Raj, A., Pedersen, C., Diaz-Flores, A., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). First Steps Towards the Lunar Ark Concept –Saving Life on Earth from a Future Catastrophe. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference.
  • Vance, L., & Thangavelautham, J. (2021). Swarm Enhancement of Autonomous Navigation When Operating Near Rubble Pile Asteroids. Interplanetary Small Satellite Conference. Pasadena: NASA JPL.

Others

  • Thangavelautham, J. (2018, August). Sustainable and Green Power Sources for Long Duration Environment Monitoring. Encyclopedia of Renewable and Sustainable Materials by Elsevier.

Awards

  • Best Student Paper Award (Finalist)
    • ASCE - Earth and Space Conference, Winter 2021
  • Best Student Paper Award (Finalist) for Sandbag Systems Engineering
    • ASCE - Earth and Space Conference, Fall 2021
  • Best Interactive Presentation - 3rd Place (Space Development)
    • International Astronautic Federation, Fall 2021
  • NASA RASCAL Winner (UPRM)
    • NIAA, Summer I 2021
  • NASA RASCAL Finalist (Team U. Arizona)
    • NIAA, Summer I 2021
  • NASA BIG - Finalist Collaboration Award
    • NIAA, Spring 2021
  • NASA Big Team - Top 10 National Finalist and winner of Collaboration Award
    • NASA Big Competition Judges, Spring 2020
  • Outstanding Aerospace Undergrad Student, Jesse Samitas
    • AME Undergrad Committee, Fall 2019
  • Outstanding Aerospace Graduate Student, Ravi Nallapu
    • AME Graduate Committee, Fall 2019
  • Subject Matter Expert (SME) Fellowship, AI and Counter Cyber for Autonomous Unmanned Collective Control by US Special Forces
    • SOFWERX (US Special Forces Research Arm), Fall 2019
  • Best Student Paper and Presentation Award (3rd Place)
    • AAS GNC Technical Committee, Spring 2019
  • Best Paper Presentation Award
    • Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference Technical Committee, Spring 2019
  • ASEE Teaching Award
    • College of Engineering, Spring 2019
  • Best Student Paper and Presentation Award (3rd place)
    • AAS Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, 2019, Winter 2018
  • MBR Mars Settlement Challenge
    • Dubai Future Foundation (Guaana), Spring 2018
  • Tech Briefs Design the Future 2017, Top 5 in Aerospace/Defense
    • Tech Briefs Magazine, Fall 2017
  • HeroX (X-Prize Spin-off) CubeSat Challenge Winner
    • HeroX/ US Military/ NASA, Fall 2017
  • Frank J. Redd Small Satellite Student Competition Winner (3rd Place)
    • AIAA/USU Small Satellite Conference, Summer I 2017
  • Advisor for Garrett Fleetwood, winner of Outstanding Honors Thesis, 2017
    • Arizona State University School of Energy Matter and Transport Engineering (SEMTE), Spring 2017
  • Co-author, Best Student Paper and Presentation Award (2nd place) at the 40th AAS Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, 2017
    • AAS GNC Student Paper Committee, Spring 2017
  • Top Achievements of the Year - Arizona State University 2016 Year in Review
    • Arizona State University, Spring 2017
  • Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award
    • Popular Mechanics Magazine, Fall 2016