NACOGDOCHES, Texas - eTradeWire -- NACOGDOCHES, TX – Dustin Kyle Judson, Chair of the Stephen F. Austin State University IEEE Student Branch, is leading a cutting-edge effort to design and deploy an autonomous underwater robot to search for wreckage of the Space Shuttle Columbia in East Texas lakes. The project, titled LOCATOR—Localized Operations for Cooperative Autonomous Tactical Object Retrieval—is engineered to autonomously navigate underwater environments for the detection and collection of space debris, specifically targeting submerged fragments from the Columbia disaster.

Judson is joined by fellow SFA engineering students Kevin Claypool, Dalton Cardwell, and Ashley Brewster, who are playing critical roles in the development of the robot's control systems, communications, and mechanical design. Together, this team represents some of the top talent in the Stephen F. Austin engineering program, uniting under a shared goal to bring practical robotics into real-world recovery missions.

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The primary financial hurdle in the LOCATOR project is acquiring a high-resolution sonar module capable of scanning and mapping the lakebed with precision. The team is currently accepting donations and sponsorships from individuals, institutions, and organizations that support student innovation and the preservation of space history.

"From the Pines to the Depths, we're proving that world-class innovation doesn't require coastal labs or billion-dollar budgets—it just takes vision and dedication," says Dustin Kyle Judson, an Electrical Engineering senior with a proven track record in robotics.

Judson's previous work includes several successful robotics platforms, such as:

• A duo-drone autonomous navigation system where a ground robot and aerial drone collaborated to complete complex obstacle courses.
• A SCARA robotic arm, developed through the SURE Undergraduate Research Grant, capable of precise manipulation.
• An autonomous robot using LIDAR, IMU, and Kalman filters to navigate unknown indoor environments with real-time sensor fusion.

The LOCATOR initiative highlights the practical application of embedded systems, autonomy, and AI, showcasing the capabilities of undergraduate students tackling meaningful, high-impact challenges.

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Those interested in supporting the project—through financial contributions, equipment donations, or collaborative opportunities—are encouraged to reach out to the SFA IEEE Student Branch, contact Dustin Kyle Judson directly at judsondk@jacks.sfasu.edu, or contribute through the team's official sponsorship channels.

https://www.engineering.sfasu.edu/