From Lab To Orbit: Building The Space Robotics Pipeline With Motion Capture

Thanos Dometios, Robotics Team Lead at ClearSpace, shares insights on motion capture in the context of space robotics.

ClearSpace is a leading In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) company, with a vision to enable a circular space economy by bringing maintenance and services to orbit. Motion capture plays an important role in their work improving space sustainability.

What makes motion capture more than just a research tool? Why is it becoming foundational infrastructure for space robotics?

Motion capture (mocap) technology, often associated with entertainment and research, is rapidly emerging as a foundational infrastructure for space robotics. However, mocap is not just an enabler in this industry, it is proving essential.

Mocap systems provide high-resolution tracking that allows engineers to monitor potential performance degradation after each test conducted throughout the development lifecycle. These insights are vital for mission success, making mocap indispensable for validating complex robotic behaviours in controlled environments.

Motion capture is no longer a niche research tool, it is the backbone of modern space robotics development.

How does investing in mocap infrastructure early influence cost, mission readiness and development speed for space robotics programmes?

Investing in mocap infrastructure early enables accurate testing across these iterations, reducing costly redesigns and accelerating development cycles. Early adoption also improves mission readiness.

This holistic testing approach minimises integration risks and shortens timelines for flight qualification. From a cost perspective, early mocap investment prevents cascading expenses caused by late-stage failures.

In essence, mocap acts as a risk-mitigation tool that pays dividends in both time and budget. By enabling accurate validation, accelerating design cycles and fostering collaboration, mocap transforms how we prepare robotic systems for the harsh realities of space.

How can collaboration between academia, agencies and commercial space organisations be structured to maximise mocap’s impact?

The complexity of space robotics demands collaboration between academia, space agencies and commercial organisations.

Large-scale facilities, such as Satellite Applications Catapult’s In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) facility, are often funded nationally to support technology development.

These environments provide shared access to mocap systems, enabling diverse stakeholders to test and validate their solutions under standardised conditions.

Academic institutions contribute cutting-edge research, agencies provide regulatory frameworks and mission objectives, while commercial players drive innovation and scalability.

Above: The Autonomy of Systems Research Centre, City St George’s University of London.

Mocap serves as a common platform where these entities converge, fostering knowledge exchange and accelerating progress toward operational readiness.

How does mocap help de-risk the transition from early prototypes to operational in-orbit robotic systems?

Transitioning from early prototypes to operational in-orbit systems is fraught with challenges.

Mocap mitigates these risks by offering a controlled environment to validate robotic systems under conditions that closely mimic orbital operations.

By capturing precise motion data, engineers can refine algorithms for perception, control and interaction. This reduces reliance on assumptions and ensures that systems behave predictably when deployed.

For in-orbit servicing missions, where failure can result in catastrophic loss, mocap provides the confidence needed to move from concept to reality.

With thanks to Thanos Dometios.

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We’re experts in bespoke motion capture solutions. Speak to our team to learn about our range of tracking applications - from robotics to healthcare, engineering to biomechanics, and more. Contact sales@target3d.co.uk or give us a call: (+44) 20 3488 2575.