Aerospace Faculty Profile
Dr. David Akin
Associate Professor/Space Systems Laboratory Director
Room 2100D Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility
Interests: Space Systems, Space Robotics, Space Human Factors, Extravehicular Activity/Space
Suit Design
dakin@ssl.umd.edu | (301) 405-1138
Personal Web Site
Space Systems Laboratory-(SSL) Web
Site
Education
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( Aeronautics & Astronautics)
M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Aeronautics & Astronautics)
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Aeronautics & Astronautics)
Publications
2008 Publications
David L. Akin, Craig R. Carignan, and Stephen R. Roderick, "Autonomous Dexterous Sampling: From the Arctic Ocean to Mars and Beyond"Earth-Space 2008 Conference, Long Beach, CA, March 2008 [paper: PDF; 2.7 Mb] [presentation slides: PDF; 8.7 Mb]
2007 Publications
David L. Akin and Shane Jacobs, "Investigations into Several Approaches to EVA-Robot Integration" 2007-01-3232, 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Chicago, IL, July 2007 [paper: PDF; 604 Kb]
Shane Jacobs, Elizabeth Benson, David Akin, "Kinematic Analysis of a Robotically Augmented Pressure Suit for Planetary Exploration" 2007-01-3171, 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Chicago, IL, July 2007 [paper: PDF; 378 Kb]
Agnieszka A. Koscielniak and David L. Akin, "Development and Testing of a Metabolic Workload Measuring System for Space Suits" 2007-01-3212, 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Chicago, IL, July 2007 [paper: PDF; 247 Kb]
Elizabeth Benson, Shane Jacobs, and David Akin, "Investigation of a Cable-Driven Parallel Mechanism for Pressure Suit Arm Resizing and Motion Assistance" 2007-01-3170, 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Chicago, IL, July 2007 [paper: PDF; 581 Kb]
John Mularski and David Akin, "Water Immersion Ballasted Partial Gravity for Lunar and Martian EVA Simulation" 2007-01-3145, 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Chicago, IL, July 2007 [paper: PDF; 322 Kb]
Craig M. Lewandowski and David L. Akin, "Development of a Single-Fluid Consumable Infrastructure for Portable Life Support Systems" 2007-01-3246, 37th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Chicago, IL, July 2007 [paper: PDF; 309 Kb]
L. Aksman, C. Carignan, and D. Akin, "Force Estimation Based Compliance Control of Harmonically Driven Manipulators", IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Rome, Italy, April 2007 [paper: PDF: 6.1 Mb]
2006 Publications
David L. Akin, "Human/Robotic Systems to Enable In-Space Operations in the CEV Era" AIAA-2006-7390, AIAA Space 2006 Conference and Exhibit, San Jose, California, Sep. 19-21, 2006 [paper: PDF; 1.0 Mb]
Brian Roberts and David Akin, "Robotic Servicing of Hubble Space Telescope: Lessons Learned from a Short-Lived Program" AIAA-2006-7393, AIAA Space 2006 Conference and Exhibit, San Jose, California, Sep. 19-21, 2006 [paper: PDF; xx Kb]
David Akin, Brian Roberts, Stephen Roderick, Walter Smith, and Jean-Marc Henriette, "MORPHbots: Lightweight Modular Self-Reconfigurable Robotics for Space Assembly, Inspection, and Servicing" AIAA-2006-7408, AIAA Space 2006 Conference and Exhibit, San Jose, California, Sep. 19-21, 2006 [paper: PDF; 3.3 Mb]
Shane E. Jacobs, David L. Akin, Jeffrey R. Braden, and David Graziosi, "Morphing Upper Torso: A Novel Concept in EVA Suit Design" 2006-01-2142, 36th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Norfolk, VA, July 2006 [paper: PDF; 288 Kb]
Shane E. Jacobs, David L. Akin, and Jeffrey R. Braden, "System Overview and Operations of the MX-2 Neutral Buoyancy Space Suit Analogue" 2006-01-2287, 36th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Norfolk, VA, July 2006 [paper: PDF; 1.0 Mb]
2005 Publications
T. Herrmann and D. Akin, "A Critical Parameter Optimization of Launch Vehicle Costs" AIAA-2005-6680, Space 2005 Conference and Exhibit, Long Beach, California, Aug. 30-Sept.1, 2005 [paper: PDF; xx Kb]
David L. Akin and Mary L. Bowden, "A Small Pressurized Rover Concept for Extended Lunar and Mars Exploration" AIAA-2005-6737, Space 2005 Conference and Exhibit, Long Beach, California, Aug. 30-1, 2005 [paper: PDF; xx Kb]
David Graziosi, Jinny Ferl, W. Keith Splawn, David L. Akin, Emily Tai, Joseph J. Kosmo, and Amy J. Ross, "Human and Robotic Enabling Performance System Development and Testing" SAE 2005-01-2969, International Conference On Environmental Systems, Rome, Italy, July 2005
Elisa Shapiro and David Akin, "Survivability of Emergency Escape from a Simulated Shuttle Entry Trajectory" AIAA-2005-823, 43rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, Jan. 10-13, 2005 [paper: PDF; xx Kb]
2004 Publications
S. Roderick, B. Roberts, E. Atkins, and D. Akin, "The Ranger Robotic Satellite Servicer and its Autonomous Software-Based Safety System" IEEE Intelligent Systems and Their Applications, Volume 19, Issue 5, Sept.-Oct. 2004 pp.12 - 19
D. Akin and M. Bowden, "MORPHLAB: Modular Roving Planetary Habitat, Laboratory, and Base" AIAA-2004-6034, Space 2004 Conference and Exhibit, San Diego, California, Sep. 28-30, 2004
Jeffrey R. Braden and David L. Akin, "Design of a Modular Testbed for Advanced Space Suit Development Testing" AIAA-2004-5968, Space 2004 Conference and Exhibit, San Diego, California, Sep. 28-30, 2004
David L. Akin, "Robotic Servicing for Hubble Space Telescope and Beyond" AIAA-2004-6042, Space 2004 Conference and Exhibit, San Diego, California, Sep. 28-30, 2004
David L. Akin and Mary L. Bowden, "SCOUT: EVA Capabilities of the Space Construction and Orbital Utility Transport" 2004-01-2295, 34th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Colorado Springs, CO, July 2004 [paper: PDF; 1.8 Mb]
David L. Akin, "RoboSuit: Robotic Augmentations for Future Space Suits" 2004-01-2292, 34th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Colorado Springs, CO, July 2004 [paper: PDF; 2.2 Mb]
Jeffrey R. Braden and David L. Akin, "Development and Testing Update on the MX-2 Neutral Buoyancy Space Suit Analogue" 2004-01-2343, 34th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Colorado Springs, CO, July 2004 [paper: PDF; Mb]
David Akin, Brian Roberts, Walt Smith, and Brook Sullivan, "University of Maryland Concepts and Technologies for Robotic Servicing of Hubble Space Telescope" Presentation to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, April 2, 2004. [presentation slides: PDF - 33.8 Mb; PPT - 27.9 Mb] {Note - The original presentation was done in Keynote; some minor formatting errors are in the PowerPoint export files and have not been corrected.}
David L. Akin, "Flight-Ready Robotic Servicing for Hubble Space Telescope: A White Paper" Response to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center request for information on Hubble Space Telescope servicing, March 24, 2003. [paper: PDF; 2.5Mb]
David L. Akin, "Human-Robotic Cooperative Teams for Advanced Space Operations", ASCE Earth-Space 2004 Conference, Houston, TX, March 2004 [paper: PDF, 5.8 Mb]
2003 Publications
David L. Akin, Brian Roberts, Kristin Pilotte, and Meghan Baker, "Robotic Augmentation of EVA for Hubble Space Telescope Servicing" AIAA-2003-6274, AIAA Space 2003 Conference and Exposition, Long Beach, CA, Sept. 23-25, 2003 [paper: PDF; 0.5 Mb][presentation: PPT;9.8 Mb]
David L. Akin and Mary L. Bowden, "Human-Robot Hybrids for Deep Space EVA: The Space Construction and Orbital Utility Transport Concept" AIAA-2003-6276, AIAA Space 2003 Conference and Exposition, Long Beach, CA, Sept. 23-25, 2003 [paper: PDF; 0.5 Mb][presentation: PPT; 4.2 Mb]
David L. Akin, Meghan Baker, and Alexandra Langley, "Human-Robotic Teams: from Hubble to Mars and Beyond" NASA Goddard Systems Engineering Seminar, September 8, 2003.[presentation: PPT; 32 Mb]
David L. Akin and Jeffrey R. Braden, "Neutral Buoyancy Technologies for Extended Performance Evaluation of Space Suits" 2003-01-2415, 33rd International Conference on Environmental Systems, Vancouver, BC, July 2003 [paper: PDF; 1.3 Mb]
Craig R. Carignan and David L. Akin, "Using Robots for Astronaut Training" IEEE Control Systems Magazine, vol. 23 no. 2, pp.46 - 59, April 2003.
2002 Publications
F. Adam Korona and David L. Akin, “Evaluation of a Hybrid Elastic EVA Glove” SAE Paper 2002-01-2311, 32nd International Conference on Environmental Systems, San Antonio, TX, July 2002 [paper: PDF; 0.6 Mb]
Jeffrey R., Braden and David L. Akin, “Development and Testing of a Space Suit Analogue for Neutral Buoyancy EVA Research” SAE Paper 2002-01-2364, 32nd International Conference on Environmental Systems, San Antonio, TX, July 2002 [paper: PDF; 0.6 Mb]
Julianne Zimmerman and David L. Akin, “Subject Effects Exhibited in Human Posture in Neutral Buoyancy and Parabolic Flight” SAE Paper 2002-01-2538, 32nd International Conference on Environmental Systems, San Antonio, TX, July 2002 [paper: PDF; 0.6 Mb]
David L. Akin and Mary L. Bowden, "EVA, Robotic, and Cooperative Assembly of Large Space Structures" Paper 14.0403, IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, MT, March 2002
J. Corde Lane, Craig R. Carignan, Brook R. Sullivan, David L. Akin, Teresa Hunt, Rob Cohen, "Effects of Time Delay on Telerobotic Control of Neutral Buoyancy Vehicles" IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, vol. 3, pp. 2874-2879, Washington, DC, May 2002
David L. Akin, Craig R. Carignan, Anthony W. Foster, "Development of a Four-Fingered Dexterous Robot End Effector For Space Operations"
IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, vol. 3, pp. 2302-2308, Washington, DC, May 2002
2001 Publications
Brook R. Sullivan and David L. Akin, "A survey of serviceable spacecraft failures" AIAA-2001-4540, AIAA Space 2001 - Conference and Exposition, Albuquerque, NM, Aug. 28-30, 2001
David L. Akin, J. Corde Lane, Brian J. Roberts, and Steven R. Weisman, "Robotic Capabilities for Complex Space Operations" AIAA-2001-4538, AIAA Space 2001 Conference and Exposition, Albuquerque, NM, Aug. 28-30, 2001
C. Carignan, J. C. Lane, and D. Akin, "Controlling Robots On-Orbit", IEEE International Symposium on Computational Intelligence in Robotics and Automation Conference, Proceedings pp.314-319, Banff, Alberta, Canada, July 2001
Julianne Zimmerman and David L. Akin, "Effect of Orientation on Human Posture in Neutral Buoyancy and Parabolic Flight" SAE Paper 2001-01-2149, 31st International Conference on Environmental Systems, Orlando, FL, July 2001. [paper: PDF; 0.1 Mb]
Melissa H. Welsh and David L. Akin, "The Effects of Extravehicular Activity Gloves on Human Hand Performance" SAE Paper 2001-01-2164, 31st International Conference on Environmental Systems, Orlando, FL, July 2001. [paper: PDF; 3.3 Mb]
Lauren S. Shook and David L. Akin, "Evaluation of Various Hand Controllers for Use by a Space Suited Subject" SAE Paper 2001-01-2203, 31st International Conference on Environmental Systems, Orlando, FL, July 2001. [paper: PDF; 0.4 Mb]
C. Carignan, J. C. Lane, and D, "Control Architecture and Operator Interface for a Free-Flying Robotic Vehicles", Proc. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Part C: Applications and Reviews, Vol. 31C, No. 3, 327-336, Aug. 2001
David L. Akin, "Cooperative EVA/Telerobotic Surface Operations in Support of Exploration Science" Workshop on Science and the Human Exploration of Mars, Jan. 01, 2001, LPI-Contrib-1089, p. 92-118
2000 Publications
Craig R. Carignan and David L. Akin, “The Reaction Stabilization of On-Orbit Robots” IEEE Control Systems Magazine, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp.19-33, December, 2000
J. C. Lane, C. R. Carignan, and D. L. Akin, “Time Delay and Communications Bandwidth Limitation on Telerobotic Control” SPIE Telemanipulator and Telepresence VII Conference, 2000.
J. C. Lane, C. R. Carignan, and D. L. Akin, “Advanced Operator Interface Design for Complex Space Telerobots” IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation: Vehicle Teleoperation Interfaces Workshop, San Francisco, CA, April 2000.
J. C. Lane, C. R. Carignan, and D. L. Akin, “Dynamic Tool Vectors for Robo-Centric Control” IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Proc. vol. 2, pp.1188 - 1193, San Francisco, CA, April 2000..
Stephen Roderick, Phil Churchill, Gardell Gefke and Dave Akin, “Design and Certification of a Total Computer-Based Hazard Control System for a Space Shuttle Payload” AIAA-2000-5078, AIAA Space 2000 Conference and Exposition, Long Beach, CA, Sept. 19-21, 2000
J. L. Parrish, D. L. Akin, and G. G. Gefke, “The Ranger Telerobotic Shuttle Experiment: Implications for Operational EVA/Robotic Cooperation” SAE Paper 2000-01-2358, 30th International Conference on Environmental Systems, Toulouse, France, July 10-13, 2000
D. L. Akin, “EVA and Dexterous Robotics: Partnerships for Effective Space Operations” Robotics 2000: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference and Exposition/Demonstration on Robotics for Challenging Situations and Environments, Albuquerque, NM, Feb. 27-Mar. 2, 2000, p. 198-205
D. L. Akin, “Long-Range Transport Vehicles for the Human Exploration of Mars” ASCE Space 2000 Conference, Albuquerque, NM, 2000.
D. L. Akin, “Dexterous Robots for Future Space Operations: The Ranger Telerobotics Shuttle Experiment and Follow-ons” SAE Robotics in Challenging Environments, 2000
D. L. Akin, “Development and Testing of a Mechanical Counterpressure Space Suit Glove” NASA Space Human Factors Engineering Principal Investigators Meeting, Houston, TX, Jan. 2000
Y. Kajihara, D. L. Akin, and S. Weisman, “Work Capabilities of Human Beings in Microgravity” Transactions of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Vol. 42 No. 138, Feb. 2000, p. 176-181
Institutional and Professional Services
Professional
Member, AIAA Distinguished Lecturer Program
Member, AIAA Space Automation and Robotics Technical Committee Chairman 1998-99
Member of NASA Telerobotics Intercenter Working Group
Member of NASWA EVA Forum
Member, NASA Solar System Exploration Subcommittee, Space Science Advisory Committee
Member, NASA Task Force on Technology Readiness
Member, NASA Mars Exploration Program Formulation and Planning Team
Organizer, NASA Mars Exploration Program Research Outreach Workshop
Chairman, Space Systems Faculty Search Committee (x2)
Chairman, Systems Design Curriculum Committee
Institutional
Member, Systems Dynamics and Control Curriculum Committee
Member of Undergraduate Committee
Member, University Diving Control Board
Member, Aerospace Engineering Undergraduate Committee
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