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Marco Dolci

Address:

4800 Oak Grove Drive
M/S 82-106

Pasadena, CA 91109

Member of:

347B - Applied Robotic Systems

Marco Dolci, Ph.D.

Member of Technical Staff

Biography

Dr. Marco Dolci is a Lead Autonomous Robotics Systems Engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he has been pushing the boundaries of space robotics since 2017. With over a decade of experience in robotic autonomy for Mars exploration, Dr. Dolci brings deep technical expertise across the full mission lifecycle—from requirements and design to simulation, integration, and real-time operations.

He earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, specializing in orbital robotic systems for space exploration, in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space and NASA JPL-Caltech. He also holds an MS in Space Engineering and dual degrees (BS + MS) in Physics, with research experience spanning data analysis, antennas, optics, cosmic rays, and astrophysics.

Dr. Dolci is passionate about building intelligent robotic systems that thrive in extreme environments. He specializes in robotic manipulation, planning under uncertainty, and algorithm design—leveraging AI, machine learning, and advanced planning to solve complex engineering challenges. His toolkit includes Python, C++, and MATLAB/Simulink, with a solid foundation in real-time robotics, systems integration, orbital mechanics, and CubeSat design (TeamXc experience).

Education

  • 2018 - PhD in Aerospace Engineering (cum laude) from Politecnico di Torino
  • 2014 - MS in Space Engineering from Politecnico di Milano
  • 2011 - MS in Physics (cum laude) from Universita' degli Studi di Milano
  • 2009 - BS in Physics from Universita' degli Studi di Milano

Professional Experience

  • 2017-present | Robotics Systems Engineer, NASA JPL - Caltech. Applied Robotic Systems Group
  • 2016-2017 | Visiting PhD student, NASA JPL - Caltech. Robotic Systems Estimation, Decision, and Control Group
  • 2014-2016 | Visiting PhD Student, Thales Alenia Space Italy
  • 2014-2017 | Graduate Research Assistant, Politecnico di Torino
  • 2013-2014 | Space systems engineer, NASA JPL - Caltech. Earth, Astronomy, and Physics Mission Formulation Group
  • 2010-2010 | Data analyst, INAF, Italy

Research Interests

space robotics systems, autonomous systems, modeling, robotic manipulation, astrophysics, AI, machine learning

Awards

  • 2025 - MSR SRL JPL Key Analysis Contributor Team Award
  • 2024 - Mars 2020 Robotics Operations Downlink Team NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars 2020 Robotics Operations Team NASA Group Achievement Award
  • 2023 - NASA Early Career Achievement Medal Individual Award, Mars 2020 Flight Systems Engineering Team Award, Mars 2020 Surface Sampling Systems Engineering Team Award
  • 2022 - MSR CCRS Team Award
  • 2021 - MSR NASA-ESA SRL Project STA Team Award, Mars 2020 Strategic Sampling Team Award, Mars 2020 Team Award, CCRS SRR JPL Key Team Member Team Award
  • 2020 - Mars 2020 Flight Systems Team Award
  • 2019 - Mars 2020 Project Team Award
  • 2013 - ASI-ISSNAF Internship Individual Award

Flight Project and Research Task Involvement

Flight Projects
Robot Sequencing and Visualization Platform (RSVP)
Robot Operations
Sampling and Caching Subsystem (SCS)
Robotic Arm, Drill and ATLO Rover Integration
Sample Transfer System
Research Tasks
Mars On-Orbit Sample Transfer Technologies (MOSTT)
Transformers for Extreme Environments

Publications

2025
  1. T.-H. Pham, P. Bailey, D. Posada, G. Georgakis, J. Enriquez, S. Suresh, M. Dolci, and P. Twu, "Robust Visual Localization in Compute-Constrained Environments by Salient Edge Rendering and Weighted Hamming Similarity," IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 24 September 2025.
  2. M. Dolci, J. Bowkett, P. Bailey, A. Boettcher, J. Kim, T-H. Pham, D. Chavez Clemente, J. Shatts, J. Townsend, P. Twu, and C. Collins, "Robotics Capabilities Development for Mars Sample Return Transfer Activities," 2025 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, MT, USA, 03 March 2025.
2024
  1. J. Bowkett, M. Dolci, J. Aldrich, D. Pastor Moreno, A. Boettcher, J. Kim, A. Okon, J. Townsend, and C. Collins, "Challenges in Closed-loop Compliant Motion Control for Planetary Robotics," 2024 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, MT, USA, 02 May 2024.
2022
  1. V. Verma, F. Hartman, A. Rankin, M. Maimone, T. Del Sesto, O. Toupet, E. Graser, S. Myint, K. Davis, D. Klein, J. Koch, S. Brooks, P. Bailey , H. Justice, M. Dolci, H. Ono, "First 210 solar days of Mars Perseverance Robotic Operations - Mobility, Robotics Arm, Sampling, and Helicopter," IEEE Aerospace Conference, 05 March 2022.
2019
  1. Giancarlo Genta, Marco Dolci, "Robotic gripper for payload capture in low Earth orbit," Advances in Astronautics Science and Technology - Springer, 02 January 2019.
2018
  1. P. Younse, R. Adajian, B. Cano, M. Dolci, P. Ohta, K. Lalla, V. Malyan, J. Munger, E. Olds, and J. Strahle, "Sample Capture and Orientation Technologies for Potential Mars Sample Return," 2nd International Mars Sample Return Conference, 27 April 2018.
  2. P. Younse, J. W. Strahle, M. Dolci, P. Ohta, K. Lalla, E. Olds, "An Orbiting Sample Capture and Orientation System Architecture for Potential Mars Sample Return," 2018 IEEE, 10 March 2018.
  3. P. Younse, J. W. Strahle, K. Lalla, M. Dolci, P. Ohta, R. Adajian, "A Systems Architecting Methodology Using Blooms Taxonomy to Promote Creative Engineering Synthesis," 2018 IEEE, 10 March 2018.
  4. R. Mukherjee, B. Chamberlain Simon, K. Wehage, J. Mayo, P. Ohta, A. Brinkman, J. Gross, W. Ubellacker, R. Smith, M. Dolci, N. Abcouwer, K. Junggon, "Testbeds and Technologies for Potential Mars Orbital Sample Capture and Manipulation," 2018 IEEE, 10 March 2018.
2017
  1. Genta G., Dolci M., "Synthesis model for real time dynamic analysis of planetary rovers," 23rd Conference of the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Politecnico di Torino (Italy), 13 November 2017.
  2. G. Genta, M. Dolci, "Gripper for capturing a payload in Low Earth Orbit," Memorie Accademia delle Scienze di Torino, serie V - Classe di Scienze Fisiche ISSN 1120-1630, 13 November 2017.
  3. M. Dolci, G. Genta, S. Ferraris, "Robotic gripper technology for cargo transfer in low Earth orbit," 67th International Astronautical Congress", IAC-16,D2,3,3,x32043, Guadalajara, Mexico, 13 November 2017.
  4. M. Dolci, S. Ferraris, G. Genta, P. Pellegrino, D. Richiardi, G. Scalise, "Robotic system study for a LEO orbiting vehicle payload capturing," 3rd Conference of the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics", Politecnico di Torino (Italy), 13 November 2017.
  5. G. Genta, M. Dolci, "Simplified model for real time dynamic analysis of planetary rovers," XXII Congress - Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Genova (Italy), 13 November 2017.
  6. M. Dolci, A. Romero-Wolf, S. Wissel, "What number of cosmic ray events do we need to measure source catalogue correlations?," 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference" proceedings PoS (ICRC2015) 347, The Hague (The Netherlands), 13 November 2017.
  7. M. Dolci, R. Mukherjee, B. Chamberlain-Simon, R. Smith, R. Mc Cormick, P. Ohta, J. Mayo, "Concepts for a potential Mars Sample Return On-Orbit Robotic Manipulation System," SoCal Robotics Symposium 2017 at USC, 14 April 2017.
  8. J. Roggeveen, M. Dolci, V. Adumitroaie, M. Quadrelli, A. Stoica, "Analysis of Alternative Energy Harvesting Methods to Power Atmospheric Robotic Explorers on Jupiter," 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Montana, USA, 01 April 2017.
  9. K. Petersen, K. Andreyeva, J. Roggeveen, M. Quadrelli, M. Cipolato, M. Dolci, G. Matheou, M. Witek, A. Stoica, "An Investigation of Potential Solutions for Jupiter-Based Aerostatic Robotic Explorers," 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Montana, USA, 01 April 2017.
  10. R. Mukherjee, B. Chamberlain-Simon, N. Abcouwer, R. Mc Cormick, R. Smith, T. Frederick, M. Dolci, "Concepts for Mars On-Orbit Robotic Sample Capture and Transfer," 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Montana, USA, 01 April 2017.
2016
  1. C. Singh-Derewa, P. Kaur Josan P., M. Dolci, "STARARM: Personal Robotic Arm," 67th International Astronautical Congress", IAC-16,D1,2,6,x34923, Guadalajara, Mexico, 30 September 2016.