The Space Robotics Lab
Enabling autonomy in space is nowadays of increasing importance as space agencies and commercial ventures plan new missions to deploy robotic systems in orbit, on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Although autonomous systems have been extensively studied for terrestrial applications, adapting these technologies to the extreme conditions of space remains an ongoing challenge. To address this need, the Space Robotics Lab at the University of Malaga emerged as a spin-off of the renowned Robotics and Mechatronics Research Group, leveraging decades of experience in field robotics and robotic manipulation. In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2016, the lab has contributed to the advancement of perception and navigation methods, path and motion planning, mechatronics, and locomotion system design for extreme environments, deploying our algorithms in HDPR, ExoTeR, MaRTA, and RAT rover testbeds.
The Space Robotics Lab is led by Carlos Pérez del Pulgar and David Rodríguez Martínez, and it belongs to the research group on Systems Engineering and Automation, and the Institute of Mechatronics and Cyber-Physical Systems, both at the University of Málaga. The lab brings together faculty members, researchers, students, and technical staff working toward the next generation of space autonomous systems.
Our mission is to research and develop novel methods and technologies that increase autonomy in applications that span both planetary and orbital robotics domains. Our research fosters the transfer of technologies between terrestrial and space robotics, enabling advances that benefit both domains. At the same time, the lab is committed to training future engineers in the field of space robotics by offering undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to participate in internships, thesis projects, and cutting-edge research activities. Most of our research projects are conducted in collaboration with national and international research institutions through joint initiatives and via technology transfer partnerships with industry and research organizations. Learn more about our research here.
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If you are a master's student, PhD candidate, or postdoc interested in an internship, research stay, or joining our team, please review the application instructions provided in Open Positions. Note that only applications submitted according to these guidelines will be considered.
