Her Algorithm Enables Robots to Install Antennas on Satellites
By Novid Parsi
Freelance technology writer
17 July 2026 | 6 min read
In a major step toward autonomous satellite servicing, IEEE Graduate Student Member Sarah Downs has developed an algorithm that equips NASA’s robots with precision assembly skills. Working in collaboration with NASA and the U.S. Air Force, Downs has created a system that allows robotic arms to reliably install antennas onto satellites in space—a task that, until now, has typically required direct human involvement.
The algorithm focuses on the critical challenge of insertion: guiding a robot to place an antenna into the correct mounting location with sub-millimeter accuracy. Unlike terrestrial assembly, where gravity and fixed fixtures simplify the process, space assembly requires the robot to adapt to microgravity conditions and cope with unpredictable positional offsets.
Downs’ approach leverages real-time sensor feedback and adaptive control, allowing the robot to sense its environment and correct its motion mid-operation. This enables a pair of collaborative robot arms—like those shown in her lab—to handle parts with the delicate precision needed for satellite components.
As of 2026, with NASA’s renewed focus on in-space assembly missions (including plans for large space telescopes and orbital fuel depots), such autonomous skill sets are becoming increasingly valuable. Robots that can install antennas, solar panels, or other modular components without human intervention save time, reduce astronaut risk, and lower mission costs.
Downs, a graduate student in robotics, has published her work in IEEE journals and presented it at robotics conferences. Her research was partly funded by the U.S. Air Force, which is interested in autonomous satellite repair and augmentation.
Looking ahead, Downs hopes to expand her algorithm to handle more complex assembly operations. "Our goal is to give robots the dexterity and reliability of a skilled technician," she says. "In space, there’s no room for error—so we have to get the software right."
With her contributions, the next generation of NASA’s space robots will not only grasp and move objects, but assemble entire structures—one antenna at a time.
Novid Parsi is a freelance writer covering technology.