CV

Contact Information

Name Arunkumar Rathinam
Professional Title Research Scientist
Email arunkumar.rathinam@uni.lu

Professional Summary

Research Scientist at SnT, University of Luxembourg, working at the intersection of computer vision and space robotics, with a focus on bridging the gap between simulation and real data for spacecraft pose estimation and autonomous relative navigation.

Experience

  • 2024 - present

    Luxembourg

    Research Scientist
    SnT, University of Luxembourg
    • Leading the DIOSSA project (ESA GSTP), a multi-phase initiative developing deep learning solutions for spacecraft pose estimation.
  • 2021 - 2024

    Luxembourg

    Research Associate
    SnT, University of Luxembourg
    • Technical Lead on industrial partnership with LMO on unsupervised domain adaptation for spacecraft pose estimation.
  • 2019 - 2021

    United Kingdom

    Research Associate
    Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey
    • Developed deep learning algorithms for 6DoF spacecraft pose estimation under the FAIR-SPACE project.
  • 2011 - 2012

    India

    Product Engineer
    SKF Technologies Limited
  • 2007 - 2011

    India

    Design Engineer
    TATA Consultancy Services (TCS)

Education

  • 2015 - 2019

    Sydney, Australia

    PhD
    University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
    Space Robotics
    • Thesis: Small Body Gravimetry using SLAM-based Autonomous Navigation.
  • 2012 - 2015

    Würzburg, Germany

    M.Sc.
    University of Würzburg
    Space Science and Technology
    • Thesis: Design and development of UWE-4 CubeSat: Integration of electric propulsion, structural analysis, and orbital heating analysis.
  • 2003 - 2007

    Chennai, India

    B.E.
    Anna University
    Mechanical Engineering
    • First Class with Distinction.

Space Mission Experience

  • SnT-AI4SPACE Mission

    Deployed an onboard AI anomaly detection system, validated on flight hardware.

  • AUDACITY Mission

    Developed an onboard AI algorithm for SSA spacecraft detection in collaboration with LMO.

  • UWE-4 CubeSat Mission

    Developed mechanical design for electric propulsion integration, verified via structural and orbital thermal analysis.

Languages

English : Fluent
Tamil : Native speaker
German : Basic