Space Robotics & Autonomous Systems: Widening the horizon of space exploration

Multisensor data fusion plays a vital role in providing autonomous systems with environmental information crucial for reliable functioning. In this article, we summarize the modular structure of the newly developed and released Common Data Fusion Framework and explain how it is used. Sensor data are registered and fused within the Common Data Fusion Framework to produce comprehensive 3D environment representations and pose estimations. The proposed software components to model this process in a reusable manner are presented through a complete overview of the framework, then the provided data fusion algorithms are listed, and through the case of 3D reconstruction from 2D images, the Common Data Fusion Framework approach is exemplified. The Common Data Fusion Framework has been deployed and tested in various scenarios that include robots performing operations of planetary rover exploration and tracking of orbiting satellites.

Review on space robotics: Toward top-level science through space exploration

Science Robotics ◽

10.1126/scirobotics.aan5074 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (7) ◽

pp. eaan5074 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Yang Gao ◽

Steve Chien

Keyword(s):

Space Exploration ◽

Space Robotics

Toward Risk-Informed Operation of Autonomous Vehicles to Increase Resilience in Unknown and Dangerous Environments

Volume 1B: 36th Computers and Information in Engineering Conference ◽

10.1115/detc2016-60002 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zachary Mimlitz ◽

Adam Short ◽

Douglas L. Van Bossuyt

Keyword(s):

Autonomous Vehicles ◽

Health Management ◽

Space Exploration ◽

Autonomous Systems ◽

Risk Attitude ◽

Local Area ◽

Behavioral Risk ◽

Risk Averse ◽

Critical System ◽

Scientific Mission

Operation of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems in hostile and expensive-to-access environments requires great care and a risk-informed operating mentality to protect critical system assets. Space exploration missions, such as the Mars Exploration Rover systems Opportunity and Curiosity, are very costly and difficult to replace. These systems are operated in a very risk-averse manner to preserve the functionality of the systems. By constraining system operations to risk-averse activities, scientific mission goals cannot be achieved if they are deemed too risky. We present a quantifiable method that increases the lifetime efficiency of obtaining scientific goals via the implementation of the Goal-Oriented, Risk Attitude-Driven Reward Optimization (GORADRO) method and a case study conducted with simulated testing of the method. GORADRO relies upon local area information obtained by the system during operations and internal Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) information to determine system health and potential localized risks such as areas where a system may become trapped (e.g.: sand pits, overhangs, overly steep slopes, etc.) while attempting to access scientific mission objectives through using an adaptable operating risk attitude. The results of our simulations and hardware validation using GORADRO show a large increase in the lifetime performance of autonomous rovers in a variety of environments, terrains, and situations given a sufficiently tuned set of risk attitude parameters. Through designing a GORADRO behavioral risk attitude set of parameters, it is possible to increase system resilience in unknown and dangerous environments encountered in space exploration and other similarly hazardous environments.

AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS: COGNITIVE CALCULATIONS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF THE BOUNDARY GENERALIZATIONS PARADIGM

International scientific and technical conference Information technologies in metallurgy and machine building ◽

10.34185/1991-7848.itmm.2021.01.032 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 263-267

Author(s):

Yurii Prokopchuk

Keyword(s):

Intelligent Systems ◽

Data Science ◽

Autonomous Systems ◽

Cognitive Networks ◽

Sense Making ◽

Space Robotics ◽

Software Support ◽

Physical Systems ◽

Operational Systems ◽

Living Being

Research in the field of Autonomous Systems focuses on the development of machines and robots that are able to perceive their environment autonomously and to interact with it like a living being. This field of research includes such areas as Autonomous Intelligent Systems, Cognitive Technical Systems, Autonomous Perception and Decision Making, Cognitive/Urgent Computation, Cyber-Physical Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Assistants, Sense-Making Platform, Cognitive Operational Systems, Cognitive Networks/Internet, Autonomous Space Robotics, Machine Learning, Big Data Calculus, Data Science Machine Eliminates Human Intuition, and simulation. The report examines the mathematical and software support of autonomous systems. The necessity of deep intellectualization of autonomous systems for space purposes is substantiated.

Testing autonomous systems for deep space exploration

IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine ◽

10.1109/maes.2008.4635067 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (9) ◽

pp. 22-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kirk Reinholtz ◽

Keyur Patel

Keyword(s):

Space Exploration ◽

Autonomous Systems ◽

Deep Space ◽

Deep Space Exploration

The Pransky interview: Dr Robert Ambrose, Chief, Software, Robotics and Simulation Division at NASA

Industrial Robot the international journal of robotics research and application ◽

10.1108/ir-04-2015-0071 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 285-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joanne Pransky

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Engineering ◽

Technology Policy ◽

Industrial Robot ◽

Autonomous Systems ◽

Space Station ◽

Strategic Partnership ◽

Robotic Systems ◽

Space Robotics ◽

Human Spaceflight ◽

Content Type

Purpose – This paper, a “Q & A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal, aims to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry engineer-turned entrepreneur regarding the evolution, commercialization and challenges of bringing a technological invention to market. Design/methodology/approach – The interviewee is Dr Robert Ambrose, Chief, Software, Robotics and Simulation Division at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. As a young child, even before he started school, Dr Ambrose knew, after seeing the Apollo 11 moonshot, that he wanted to work for NASA. Dr Ambrose describes his career journey into space robotics and shares his teams’ experiences and the importance of the development of Robonaut, a humanoid robotic project designed to work with humans both on Earth and in space. Findings – Dr Ambrose received his MS and BS degrees in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and his PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr Ambrose heads the flight spacecraft software, space robotics and system simulations for human spaceflight missions. He oversees on-orbit robotic systems for the International Space Station (ISS), the development of software for the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and future human spaceflight systems, simulations for engineering development and training, hardware in the loop facilities for anomaly resolution and crew training and the technology branch for development of new robotic systems. Dr Ambrose also serves as a Principal Investigator for NASA’s Space Technologies Mission Directorate, overseeing research and formulating new starts in the domains of robotics and autonomous systems. He co-chairs the Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) Robotics, Tele-Robotics and Autonomous Systems roadmap team for the agency’s technology program, and is the robotics lead for the agency’s human spaceflight architecture study teams. Working with the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Dr Ambrose is the Technical Point of Contact for NASA’s collaboration in the National Robotics Initiative (NRI). Originality/value – Dr Ambrose not only realized his own childhood dream by pursuing a career at NASA, but he also fulfilled a 15-year national dream by putting the first humanoid robot into space. After seeking a graduate university that would allow him to do research at NASA, it didn’t take long for Dr Ambrose to foresee that the importance of NASA’s future would be in robots and humans working side-by-side. Through the leadership of Dr Ambrose, NASA formed a strategic partnership with General Motors (GM) and together they built Robonaut, a highly dexterous, anthropomorphic robot. The latest Robonaut version, R2, has nearly 50 patents available for licensing. One of the many technology spinoffs from R2 is the innovative Human Grasp Assist device, or Robo-Glove, designed to increase the strength of a human’s grasp.

Competitiveness of the Russian space industry in the global space services market

Vestnik Universiteta ◽

10.26425/1816-4277-2020-10-74-80 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 74-80

Author(s):

A. В. Khodykin

Keyword(s):

Swot Analysis ◽

Space Exploration ◽

Space Robotics ◽

Deep Space ◽

Extensive Experience ◽

National Space ◽

Commercial Space ◽

Deep Space Exploration ◽

Space Industry ◽

Global Space

The article carries out an analysis of the competitiveness of the Russian space industry in the international space services market according to the following indicators: the volume of budget of national space organizations, the volume of the commercial space exploration market, the number of space launches, positions in manned cosmonautics, production of spacecrafts, deep space exploration, staffing of the space industry and international integration in the space sphere. The paper conducts a SWOT-analysis of the Russian space industry. Its main strengths are: leading positions in manned cosmonautics, leading positions in the number of space launches per year, and extensive experience in space exploration. The greatest concern is caused by: the lack of development of space robotics, insufficient programs for the development of deep space, financial problems and the private sector of Russian cosmonautics, which is in its infancy. The author substantiates the necessity of reforming the Russian space industry.