Meet the Team: SKYWALKER
Behind the SKYWALKER project is a group of ten passionate students from Aalborg University, brought together by a shared enthusiasm for space exploration, robotics, and the possibilities of reinforcement learning. As part of the ESA Academy Experiments Programme, the team will have the opportunity to carry out their experiment in the frictionless environment of the Orbital Robotics Lab (ORL), at ESA ESTEC.
SKYWALKER is more than just a technical experiment; it’s a gateway to the future of autonomous space robotics. The project aims to develop a robotic system capable of manoeuvring in microgravity using reinforcement learning, allowing for autonomous construction, repair, and disassembly of structures in space. Each team member has a dedicated role, ranging from mechanical design and vision systems to control algorithms and simulation environments.
The SKYWALKER team is divided into two groups: a senior team of three master's students and a junior team of seven bachelor’s students, all of whom study robot engineering at Aalborg University. Despite differences in academic levels, the team shares a strong collaborative spirit and a love for pushing ideas beyond traditional boundaries.
The team’s dynamic is relaxed and geeky, often fuelled by late-night brainstorming sessions, a steady stream of coffee, and endless curiosity. Whether it’s troubleshooting a sensor or perfecting a simulation, the SKYWALKER team is always ready to take on a challenge.
For many, participating in this ESA Academy Experiments Programme project represents a step closer to working in the space industry, turning a lifelong fascination into hands-on experience. Follow their journey and discover how tomorrow’s space engineers are being shaped today.
The SKYWALKER team is composed of the following members: Alaa Eddin Kawara, Artem Melnyk, Bruno Miguelez de Salas, Daði Hrannar Davíðsson, Glenn Svendsen, Gustav Wang, Jón á Argjaboða, Lya Kokholm, Rasmus Kristiansen, Thor Bork Nielsen.
You can follow the progress of the team on LinkedIn!
