Its an valuable presentation about space robotics.

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Space Robotics

3. CONTENTS
1-Introduction
2-Space Robots Importance
3-what technology is needed?
4-Examples of Space Robots
5-Fundamental research challenges
6-International efforts in Space Robotics
7-Future scope of Space Robotics

4. INTRODUCTION
Space Robotics is the development of machines for
the space environment that perform Exploration, or to
Assemble/Construct, Maintain, or Service other
hardware in Space.
Humans generally control space robots locally (e.g.
Space Shuttle robotic arm) or from a great distance
(e.g. Mars Exploration Rovers)

5. Space Shuttle robotic arm
Mars Exploration Rovers

6. Space Robots Importance
Perform tasks less expensively, sooner, and with less
risk or more delicate "touch" than with human
astronauts
Go where people can’t go (within reason), and for
long durations
Space is a hazardous environment & Access to
space is expensive
Robots don't need to return to Earth (which can be
very costly)
NASA JPL,USA NASA JSC,USA WTEC Robotics

7. What technology is needed?
Mobility:
Need to plan paths that move quickly and accurately from A to B without
collisions or putting robot or worksite elements at risk.
Manipulation:
Need to contact worksite elements safely, quickly and accurately without
imparting excessive forces beyond those needed for the task.
Time Delay:
The speed-of-light delay between humans on Earth and the robot is
seconds in the Earth-moon vicinity and ~30 minutes to Mars.
Extreme Environments:
Radiation, temperature, very fine dust, etc.
Power, communications:
difficult.

8. Example of Space Robots
Mars Exploration Rover
Two MER’s “spirit and opportunity” have explored opposite
sides of Mars since Jan '04, traversing many kilometres each,
taking over 80,000 images and 1.5 million spectra from
multiple instruments.
Robot arm on Mars Exploration
Rover

9. Example of Space Robots(conti....)
Robonaut
Robonaut is an "astronaut-equivalent",highly dexterous robot
under development that will use all the same tools, handholds, and
other equipment that astronauts in space suits can use.
It can be perform as an assistant in collaboration with suited
astronauts.
Robonaut performing
dexterous grasp

10. Fundamental Research Challenges
Mobility:
Finding accurate answers to the questions:
 Where am I ?
 Where is the current “goal” Point?
 Where are any obstacles or hazards, including
hazards that may not be visible (e.g. Soft sand)
 How can I know where I am relative to everything
else as I move?

11. Fundamental Research Challenges (Cont....)
Manipulation:
How can I sense and impart forces that are sufficient but not
excessive to accomplish the task? How can I move both
quickly enough to assist human astronauts but not pose a risk
to them?
Time Delay:
How to place the space robot with sufficient sensing,
perception, and reasoning to work safely and productively for
a period at least as great as the speed of light round trip for
human update?

12. SARCOS dexterous hand
capable of force control
Artist's concept of a submarine
robot in the sub-ice liquid water
ocean

13. U.S. Space Robots - Rovers
Hyperion robot developed by
Carnegie-Mellon University used in
arctic and other planetary analog sites
Rocky-7 rover, developed by JPL
for Sized long-range traverse in a
Sojourner vehicle
INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS IN SPACE ROBOTICS

14. North America - Space Manipulators
Robonaut, developed by the
Johnson Space Center, is used to
study the use of anthropomorphic
Phoenix arm, developed by the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory for the Phoenix
mission

15. Japan Space Robots
In 1999 the Japanese Space Agency flew the free-flying ETS-VII
flight experiment, demonstrating semiautonomous rendezvous and
docking and substantial manipulation functions on a task board.
The Japanese Experiment Module for the International Space
Station includes the dexterous Small Fine Arm (awaiting launch).
Artist's conception of the ETS-VII
rendezvous and docking experiment

16. Europe - U.K. and France
The British developed the manipulator arm for the Beagle-2
Mars probe.
 CNES and LAAS in Toulouse have had a long program of
research in planetary rover navigation and control, and have
proposed a substantial role in a Mars Rover for the European
Space Agency Exo Mars Project.
Beagle-2 Mars probe with robot arm

17. FUTURE SCOPE OF SPASE ROBOTICS
Future trends in Space Robotics are expected to
lead to planetary rovers that can operate many days
without commands, and can approach and analyze
science targets from a substantial distance with only
a single command.
robots that can assemble/construct, maintain,
and service space hardware using very precise
force control, dexterous hands, despite multi-
second time delay.

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