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From Space Robotic Systems to Planetary Science Investigations

The SPace Robotics INvestigation Group — SPRING advances planetary exploration through the integrated design, development, and scientific exploitation of space and robotic systems. The Lab works at the intersection of aerospace engineering, robotics, and planetary geodesy, and geophysics, with the objective of enabling future missions to explore, characterize, and understand challenging planetary environments. SPRING develops technologies and methods for autonomous exploration, with a particular focus on planetary robotic systems, and onboard capabilities for operations on planetary surfaces and in deep-space mission scenarios. Research activities include the conceptual design of mission architectures, the development of guidance, navigation, and control solutions, and the integration of hardware and software systems for robust autonomous operations. At the same time, the Lab contributes to the scientific investigation of planets and icy moons through participation in international planetary missions. These activities include the analysis of gravity fields, surface topography, geophysical constraints, and planetary interiors, supporting the characterization of the surface and internal structure of celestial bodies across the Solar System. This dual expertise allows SPRING to connect system development with science return, from the design of exploration technologies to the interpretation of planetary mission data.

Origins and Growth of the Lab

SPRING was established in 2019, when its founder and group supervisor, Prof. Antonio Genova, joined Sapienza University of Rome after several years of research experience at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and MIT. The Lab was created with the goal of building an interdisciplinary research environment dedicated to planetary exploration, combining space robotics, mission system development, and scientific investigation from planetary missions.

Since its foundation, the group has grown significantly, expanding around three main research pillars: space robotics, space system development, and planetary geodesy and geophysics. This growth has been driven by a collaborative academic environment involving student activities within the SASA Technology Team, Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis projects, PhD research, and postdoctoral activities.

Today, SPRING brings together students, researchers, and collaborators with complementary expertise, fostering a team culture where theoretical knowledge, hands-on system development, and scientific analysis are closely integrated. Through this approach, the Lab contributes both to the advancement of space exploration technologies and to the formation of the next generation of engineers and scientists for academic, industrial, and mission-oriented environments.

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