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Space and Exploration Automation

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Springer Handbook of Automation

Part of the book series: Springer Handbooks ((SHB))

Abstract

Space-faring nations are actively exploring outer space and planetary bodies in our solar system both individually and as collaborators with other nations. In most endeavors, the inherent risk to human life has been mitigated by the use of automation and robotics to conduct space missions. Missions extending from low-Earth orbit to Earthʼs moon and beyond to destinations throughout the solar system have been successfully conducted. Robots and human astronauts assisted by automated systems have been used on space missions. Infrastructure and service automation in the context of space missions are discussed in this chapter. Automation and robotics have played a substantial role in installing space exploration infrastructure such as Earth-orbiting satellites and space stations occupied for extended periods by astronauts as well as satellites that operate for extended periods in orbit around other planets. General background information about automation and robotics for exploration of space is presented. Challenges of applying automation in space and planetary environments are highlighted for robots that operate in Earth orbit, at the Moon, at Mars, and other destinations. A look forward to what the future will hold for further space and exploration automation is provided, including mention of advancements in technological capabilities that will be needed to accomplish more ambitious space missions.

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Abbreviations

3-D:

three-dimensional

DARPA:

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

ESA:

European Space Agency

EVA:

extravehicular activity

GPS:

global positioning system

JPL:

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

MIT:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT:

miles in-trail

NASA:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ST:

structured text

VII:

vehicle infrastructure integration

References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Physics Laboratory, Space Department, Johns Hopkins University, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, 20723, Laurel, MD, USA

    Edward Tunstel PhD

Authors
  1. Edward Tunstel PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edward Tunstel PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. PRISM Center, and School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, 315 N. Grant Street, 47907, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Shimon Y. Nof

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Tunstel, E. (2009). Space and Exploration Automation. In: Nof, S. (eds) Springer Handbook of Automation. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-78831-7_69

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-78831-7_69

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-78830-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-78831-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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