How UF researchers are making space more hospitable for people and machines

While people on Earth are thinking about self-driving cars, Christopher “Chrispy” Petersen is focused on self-driving satellites.

“A satellite that nudges itself in the right direction or performs some aspect of self-repair lets people in the control room focus on other, important mission-oriented tasks,” he says.

Petersen, an assistant professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering, loves pushing the limits of satellite capabilities.