Joshua D. Vander Hook

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About

Joshua D. Vander Hook is a leading researcher in space robotics, with a focus on autonomous systems for in-situ servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM). His work addresses the critical challenge of enabling spacecraft to build, repair, and sustain infrastructure beyond Earth, reducing reliance on Earth-launched supplies. As the editor of a pivotal 2022 research topic on robotic ISAM, Vander Hook curated interdisciplinary contributions that map the future of autonomous space operations, from orbital servicing to lunar construction. This editorial, cited 7 times, serves as a foundational resource for researchers seeking to unify approaches across robotics, materials science, and mission design. Vander Hook’s contributions are shaping how robotic systems can leverage in-situ resources—such as regolith or orbital debris—to create sustainable space habitats and spacecraft. His work is essential for advancing NASA’s and other agencies’ long-term goals of permanent lunar bases and deep-space exploration, making him a key figure in the next generation of autonomous space robotics.