Space robotics and autonomous systems (Space RAS) are vital for developing mission-specific machines capable of surviving and performing tasks such as exploration, assembly, construction, maintenance, and servicing in space. This multidisciplinary field sits at the crossroads of space engineering, terrestrial robotics, computer science, and materials science. Space RAS is crucial for expanding human capabilities in space, enabling operations beyond the limits of human spaceflight and enhancing astronauts’ effectiveness in harsh space environments. The field encompasses all types of robotics for planetary exploration, orbital operations, and the necessary sensors for navigation and control.
Authored by international experts, this book covers advanced research, technologies, and applications in Space RAS. Topics include sensing and perception for situational awareness, mobility for operating on extraterrestrial surfaces or in free space, manipulation for tasks like assembly, digging, drilling, and sampling, and high-level autonomy for robust, safe navigation, rendezvous, and docking. The book also addresses human-robot and multi-modal interaction, systems engineering for coordinating complex robotic systems, verification and validation of adaptive systems, modeling and simulation, and issues of safety and trust.
