Akin, David
Professor
Director of Space Systems Laboratory
Director of Space Systems Laboratory
Aerospace Engineering
Maryland Robotics Center
Maryland Robotics Center
2100D Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility
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)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Professional Services
- 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 Services
- Member, Systems Dynamics and Control Curriculum Committee
- Member of Undergraduate Committee
- Member, University Diving Control Board
- Member, Aerospace Engineering Undergraduate Committee
Space systems and operations; space human factors; telerobotics; space simulation; and space applications of artificial intelligence. Projects include NASA’s astrobiology project (ASTEP), a morphing upper torso, the Ranger satellite servicing system, an advanced research/simulation suit, the visual positioning system, partial gravity simulation, automatic rendezvous and docking, SCAMP, and an exoskeleton.
Conference Proceedings
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Aerospace Engineering Celebrates 75 Years
Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends marked the milestone, engaging with students and envisioning the futureBrick by Brick: The Clark School Celebrates LGBTQ+ Engineers
At Maryland Engineering, we celebrate the array of experiences, stories, and contributions among our community of innovators.New Space Research Center Launched at UMD
ASTRA, led by Associate Professor Christine Hartzell, will bring together researchers from across the university to tackle a wide range of projects related to space.Designing for Moon Mission
UMD Team Takes Second Overall, and Best in Theme at 2024 RASC-AL Competition.Roving Reporter
We Road-Test Engineering Students’ New Moon Buggy Concept at NASADiving Deeper into Competition, and Recruitment
UMD’s RoboSub team sets sights on blasting the 2024 competition out of the water.A “Lint Roller” for Moon Dust
UMD researchers are creating a portable device that astronauts can use to get rid of clingy moon dust.UMD Takes Best in Theme Award at 2022 NASA RASC-AL Competition
Competition challenges student teams to develop solutions for space exploration.Celebrating Black Aerospace Engineers: Jarred Young ('09, M.S. '13, Ph.D. '17)
Inspired at an early age to become a propulsion engineer, Young is helping a new generation of engineers achieve their dreams.Two UMD Teams Take Best in Theme at NASA’s RASC-AL Competition
Competition challenges student teams to design concepts for space exploration.Unlocking the Mysteries of Fire ... in Space
A University of Maryland engineer's work aboard the International Space Station could lead to cleaner engines and power plants, and safer living conditions in space.UMD Team Takes a Top Spot in NASA RASC-AL Design Competition
Four University of Maryland teams competed in this year’s NASA 2020 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) competition.Two University of Maryland Teams Selected for 2021 NASA M2M X-Hab Challenge
Competition challenges students to develop some of the next generation technologies to enhance NASA’s Moon to Mars space exploration missions.Congratulations to the 2020 Aerospace Engineering Honors Class
Students complete final presentations to earn “Honors Citation.”Student 3D Prints Personal Protective Equipment for Area Hospitals
Quinn Kupec’s efforts featured on North Dakota news outlet KVRR.Found in Space
How an 18-year-old student engineering project showed up in a new sci-fi book.Clark School Team to Compete in NASA's RASC-AL Competition
A team of Clark School students will compete in this year's RASC-AL competition, held June 18-20, 2019.Bioinspired robotics REU students present final projects
The REU was led by Hugh Bruck and Sarah Bergbreiter, along with Clark School faculty and graduate student mentors.UMD RASC-AL Team Wins Big, Akin Recognized with PEACH Award
A team of 19 undergraduate students won first place for the RASC-AL theme category and second place in the overall competition.Elon Musk Tweets Back
A question and answer session with Quinn Kupec, an undergraduate researcher in Aerospace Engineering, who recently grabbed the attention of Elon Musk.UMD Takes Second Place in NASA RASC-AL Competition
Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts – Academic Linkages (RASC-AL) Space Design CompetitionUMD Takes 1st in American Helicopter Society Student Challenge
The Terrapin Sheriffs was one of three international teams selected to participate.UMD Team Takes Second at NASA BIG Ideas Design Competition
Aerospace Engineering undergrads design winning solar electric propulsion (SEP)-powered space tug.Alumnus David Van Wie Elected to the National Academy of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering alumnus inducted into NAE for contributions to contributions to hypersonic technology.Two UMD Teams NASA BIG Idea Challenge Finalists
Two UMD Aerospace Engineering student teams selected as finalists in NASA's BIG Idea Challenge.Paley Presents at NAE 2016 Frontiers of Engineering Symposium
Three Clark School faculty attend NAE 2016 Frontiers of Engineering Symposium.Hasan Receives NASA Space Flight Awareness Silver Snoopy Award
NASA recognizes Aerospace Engineering graduate student Syed Hasan for outstanding mission contributions.UMD Students Win 2015 RASC-AL Competition
Aerospace engineering students design winning concept for a Mars settlement and lunar refueling station.UMD Team Wins 2015 Robo-Ops and Sets New Course Record
Maryland students and their rover 'Frigg' win first place at the 2015 Robo-Ops Competition.Aerospace Students Excel at 14th AIAA YPSE Conference
UMD students placed in both presentations and paper categories at the 14th AIAA YPSE Conference.Five Aerospace Engineering Faculty Promoted to AIAA Associate Fellows
Akin, Bowden, Fourney, Humbert and Kothera promoted to American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Associate FellowsUMD Students Place Second in 2014 RASC-AL Competition
Aerospace engineering undergrad students place second overall in 2014 RASC-AL competition.UMD Alumni Hatch Sub-$300 Consumer 3D Printer, Raise $3.3 Million on Kickstarter
Alumni-founded company races past $50,000 goal in 11 minutes, hits $1 million in 25 hours.Aerospace Faculty Recognized at 15th Annual Research Leaders Luncheon
15 Department of Aerospace Engineering's faculty honored for successful research funding efforts.Elaine Gessow Passes at 88
Wife of former UMD Aerospace Engineering Chair and helicopter pioneer passes away peacefully.UMD Takes Second at 2013 RASC-AL Competition
Undergraduate aerospace design team places second at NASA RASC-AL competition.Demeter Takes Second Place in 2013 Robo-Ops
Students guide planetary rover robot to second place in RASC-AL Exploration Robo-Ops Competition.Aero Faculty Build Partnership with JPL
NASA's JPL and U-Md. Aerospace Seek Stronger PartnershipClark School Alumnus Assists with 24-Mile Jump from Space
Shane Jacobs helped design suit worn by Felix Baumgartner in speed of sound-breaking dive.AE Faculty Honored at Research Leaders Luncheon
10 AE Faculty Represent Department at Research Leaders LuncheonHoyer Honors UM Solar Decathlon Team
Praise for team entered into the Congressional Record.eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) Academic Innovation Challenge
Prof. David Akin's X-Hab Project is Awarded Funding by the AIC ProgramClark School a Finalist in NASA X-Hab Competition
Clark School students to build inflatable space habitat in NASA competition finals.Two Big Wins for Clark School Teams
Aerospace engineering students win American Helicopter Society, NASA design competitions.MX-2 Suit Research is featured in Popular Science
SSL's MX-2 Suit Research is featured in Popular Science magazineProject TURTLE Wins NASA Competition
Terrapin Undergraduate Rover for Terrestrial Lunar Exploration awarded first placeUniversity Honors Names Levashov as a Best Paper
Levashov's Hardware Study Named by Honors Program as a Best PaperInaugural Anderson Scholarship Awarded to Kirk
Madeline Kirk announced as first recipient of Anderson Scholarship in Aerospace EngineeringUM $50K Business Plan Competition Winners Announced
Three winners chosen among nine finalists.American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- Associate Fellow