Address book

Contacts

Staff Structures

FRANCESCO BRANZ

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Position

Ricercatore a tempo det. art. 24 c. 3 lett. B L. 240/2010

Structure

Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale - DII

Address

VIA VENEZIA, 1 - PADOVA

Telephone

0498276779

E-mail

francesco.branz@unipd.it

Francesco Branz is Assistant Professor in Space Systems and Equipments with the Dept. of Industrial Engineering of the University of Padova. His research interests focus on space robotics, CubeSat technology, relative navigation sensors, docking mechanisms, and optical communication. He has taken part in several national and international research projects. Recently, he has been technical leader in two ESA--funded projects: the development of a CubeSat--sized docking system in the framework of the Space Rider Observer Cube (SROC) mission, and the development of a simulation tool for the validation of GNC algorithms to enable the capture of space vehicles by a manipulator--equipped chaser satellite.

Projects:
- MIDAS (Multifunctional Interface for Docking, Assembly and Servicing of satellites). ASI contract. Role: principal investigator.
- Detriti spaziali e sostenibilità delle attività spaziali a lungo termine. ASI/INAF agreement. Role: WP responsible.
- SROC-B2/C/D (Space Rider Observer Cube demonstrator phase B2/C/D.). ESA contract. Role: technical leader UNIPD.
- AUTOMA (AUtonomous Technologies for Orbital servicing and Modular Assembly). Funded by DII UNIPD. Role: responsible.
- SROC-B1 (Development of the Space Rider Observer Cube Phase B1). ESA contract. Role: technical lead UNIPD.
- GRACC (GNC and Robotic Arm Combined Control). ESA contract. Role: technical project manager UNIPD.
- LaserCube (laser communication terminal suitable for CubeSats). ESA contract. Role: participant.
- “Development of a docking system for nano and microsatellites”. Funded by DII UNIPD. Role: participant.
- MAgIC (Multi-Agent Intelligent Control of time-critical Cyber-Physical Systems over wireless). Funded by DEI UNIPD. Role: participant.
- ERMES (Experimental Rendezvous in Microgravity Environment Study). ESA Fly Your Thesis! Role: endorsing professor.
- PACMAN (Position and Attitude Control with MAgnetic Navigation). ESA Fly Your Thesis! Role: support.
- STAR (Space Tether Automatic Retrieval). ESA Drop Your Thesis! Role: support.
- FELDs (Flexible Electromagnetic Leash Docking System). ESA Drop Your Thesis! Role: support.
- POLARIS (POLymer-Actuated Radiator with Independent Surfaces). REXUS/BEXUS programme. Role: support.
- ARCADE (Autonomous Rendezvous Control And Docking Experiment). REXUS/BEXUS programme. Role: participant.
- BETs (Bare Electromagnetic Theters). Funded by Commissione EU Commission FP7. Role: participant.

Notices

Teachings

Publications

Main publications:
- L. Lion, A. Caon, L. Olivieri, F. Branz, A. Francesconi, “Kinematic tests on a docking mechanism for microsatellites,” CEAS Space Journal, 2023
- A. Caon, F. Branz, A. Francesconi, “Smart capture tool for space robots,” Acta Astronautica, 2023
- F. Branz A. Francesconi, “Compliant joint to reduce docking loads between CubeSats,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 205, pp. 153–162, 2023
- F. Sansone, F. Branz, et al., “Calibration and Verification of Pointing and Tracking System for Optical Communication Terminal,” AIAA Journal, vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 510–517, 2023
- F. Basana and F. Branz, “Simulation of robotic space operations with minimum base reaction manipulator,” Journal of Space Safety Engineering, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 440–448, 2022
- A. Caon, F. Branz, A. Francesconi, “Development and test of a robotic arm for experiments on close proximity operations,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 195, pp. 287–294, 2022
- F. Branz, et al., “Drive-by-Wi-Fi: Model-Based Control Over Wireless at 1 kHz,” IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology, pp. 1–12, 2022
- R. Antonello, F. Branz, et al., “High Precision Dual–Stage Pointing Mechanism for Miniature Satellite Laser Communication Terminals,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 776–785, 2021
- F. Branz, et al., “Miniature docking mechanism for CubeSats,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 176, pp. 510–519, 2020
- F. Branz, et al., “Time-Critical Wireless Networked Embedded Systems: Feasibility and Experimental Assessment,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, vol. 16, no. 12, pp. 7732–7742, 2020
- F. Sansone, A. Francesconi, R. Corvaja, G. Vallone, R. Antonello, F. Branz, and P. Villoresi, “LaserCube optical communication terminal for nano and micro satellites,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 173, pp. 310–319, 2020
- F. Sansone, F. Branz, A. Francesconi, “A Relative Navigation Sensor for CubeSats Based on LED Fiducial Markers,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 146, pp. 206–215, 2018
- F. Branz, A. Francesconi, “Experimental Evaluation of a Dielectric Elastomer Robotic Arm for Space Applications,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 133, pp. 324–333, 2017
- F. Branz, A. Francesconi, “Modelling and Control of Double-Cone Dielectric Elastomer Actuator,” Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 25, no. 9, p. 095040, 2016
- M. Barbetta, A. Boesso, F. Branz, et al., “ARCADE–R2 Experiment on Board BEXUS 17 Stratospheric Balloon,” CEAS Space Journal, vol. 7, pp. 347–358, 2015
- P. Tadini, U. Tancredi, M. Grassi, L. Anselmo, C. Pardini, A. Francesconi, F. Branz, et al., “Active debris multi-removal mission concept based on hybrid propulsion,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 103, pp. 26–35, 2014
- F. Sansone, F. Branz, et al., “2D Close Range Navigation Sensor for Miniature Cooperative Spacecraft,” IEEE Transactions on Aerospace & Electronic Systems, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 160–169, 2014
- L. T. De Luca, F. Bernelli, F. Maggi, P. Tadini, C. Pardini, L. Anselmo, M. Grassi, D. Pavarin, A. Francesconi, F. Branz, et al., “Active Space Debris Removal by a Hybrid Propulsion Module,” Acta Astronautica, vol. 91, pp. 20–33, 2013

Research Area

- Space systems
- Enabling technologies for In-Orbit Servicing and In-Orbit Assembly
- Space robotics technologies for close proximity operations
- Optical communication systems for satellites
- CubeSat and Small satellites technologies
- Laboratory facilities for the simulation of orbital dynamics
- Networked control systems and control-over-WiFi
- Dielectric Elastomer actuators