Space Robotics

For Microgravity Robotics the space environment (radiation, contamination sensitivity, thermal extremes, etc.) poses unique challenges to robot and robot algorithms. Despite this, it is expected that the robotics discipline will find increasing importance in coming years, particularly as the opportunities for human-robot and robot-robot cooperation arise in space exploration. Priority areas for this technical committee include:

• Electromechanical design and control.
• Microgravity locomotion.
• Machine vision for inspection and assembly, including compensation for stark lighting, glare, glint, and deep shadows.
• Command and control interfaces, including teleoperated modes.
• Power sources and consumable recharging techniques.
• Radiation hardening and effects on processing throughput.
• Thermal considerations in space robot design.

For Planetary Robotics, the surface environment also poses unique challenges. These include Microgravity Robotics’ issues during cruise phase, or if an atmosphere is not present. Further, there is usually the greater uncertainty of interacting with an unexplored natural terrain instead of man-made structures. Planetary Robotics technical topics include:

• Sensing and perception for planetary exploration, including terrain-relative precision position estimation.
• Above-surface, surface, and sub-surface planetary mobility, possibly from novel vehicle design concepts.
• Command and control with limited bandwidth, often precluding teleoperation and requiring autonomous surface operations, with natural terrain navigation and manipulation.
• Planetary rovers systems engineering.
• Testing and qualification, including field tests on Earth and Mars.
• Human-Robot system design and development.