17-09-2014, 03:50 PM
In the space jargon, often any unmanned space probe is called a robotic probe. Robots are basically systems involving arms for manipulation or some kind of locomotion device for mobility, having the flexibility to perform varying tasks. In this report, the state-of-the-art in space robotics is determined. We address what robots and robotic systems can currently do, what the major space related challenges are, and what we can plausibly expect in the future. The space robotics assessment study examines both in-space operations including assembly, inspection, and maintenance and planetary surface explorations like mobility and exploration. These two concepts are described with regard to telerobotic control processes initiated from a ground station. This introduces the notions of robotic programming languages, voice recognition software, virtual reality systems, and the overall ground station computer hardware, with man-machine interface. Robotic manipulator kinematics and dynamics is required for in-orbit assembly and autonomous operations such as space docking. Robotic sensorimotor subsystems include robot sensor technologies, actuator technologies and MEMS(Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems). Vision and image processing is also a fundamental part of space robots, including mobility control and digital tracking. The conclusion of this report identifies possible areas in space robotics that could lead to significant advances of important technologies, and future prospects.