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Graduates
Chris Pena
BS in Product Design — Product DesignCourse:
Capstone
Faculty:
Kevin Beard, Jeff Jones, Damien Viscarra
Term:
2026 Spring
oo_CRB
OnOrbit_CrewRoboticBridge
A Tactile System connecting crews to Extravehicular Work.
A Robotic Partner for Astronauts, Orbital Crew, and future Space Station Activities. Teleoperated through VR + Autonomous navigation across station exteriors. Designed for close range visual inspection, EVA planning, systems triage, + damage verification.
Designed to be handled, not just operated. Intentional. Tactile. Familiar.
Process:
Research into on-orbit operations, EVA workflows, and robotic inspection systems informed the initial direction, including precedents like teleoperated inspection tools that reduce reliance on EVA . The project moved through iterative sketching, system architecture definition, and brand exploration, with constant back-and-forth between concept and feasibility. CAD, Gravity Sketch, and physical reasoning were used to resolve packaging, mobility, and manipulation systems. The process emphasized testing ideas quickly, failing often, and refining toward a clear system architecture grounded in real constraints such as microgravity, access, and human interaction
Learning Outcomes:
Developed a deeper understanding of robotics systems, including mobility, manipulation, and teleoperated inspection in constrained environments. Gained insight into the realities of designing for space, including physical constraints, reliability, and risk reduction tied to EVA operations. Strengthened ability to design at a systems level, balancing product, architecture, and interaction. Continued to push work toward familiarity and commercialization within an emerging space economy, while exploring new materials, technologies, and design practices. Reinforced the role of design in inspiring confidence and curiosity, especially when operating at the forefront of new technology.
Project Website: