2. Introduction
Once upon a time, space robots were science fiction. They appeared in comic books and Hollywood movies.
Today, space robots are a reality, and they help scientists and aerospace engineers explore the Solar System --
something humans just can't do. And things are just getting started. As technology develops, there are endless
possibilities for space robots in the future.
Space robots actually help humans. In fact, there are space robots working on the International Space Station
right now. Although they are expensive to produce, it's cheaper to send a robot to space than a human. That's not
all. Unlike humans, robots don't need food or drink to survive. But what do they actually do? Quite a lot, really.
● Space robots take measurements for astronauts.
● They collect samples.
● They assemble and fix equipment and structures.
Space robots can also explore other planets with cameras, providing scientists with insights into the atmosphere,
landscape, and conditions of these faraway worlds.
3. Types of Space Robots
Some of the types of space robots are:-
1. Planetary Rovers: It is the most advanced form of robot technology used in space
research. They are the robots, which explore, navigate and research themselves
with the least human intervention;they analyze the data collected and send the results
back to earth.
2. IN-Orbit Operators: They are the robots which assist an astronaut during his space
mission. For example a robot can be designed specially to refuel a shuttle thus helping
a astronaut to remain in his shuttle and accomplish various tasks without any risk to
their lives.
3. Probes: A similar class of robots explores the system without actually physically
landing anywhere.These typically use cameras and variety of instruments to measure
other planets,moon,and sun from a distance.Most of these use solar cells for their
instruments.
4. The Future of Space Robots
Although space exploration spending has declined since the '60s, NASA is investing in space robots that
could provide scientists with new insights into the Solar System and beyond. Recently, the organization
announced a partnership with nine U.S. aerospace companies to send small robots to the Moon [4]. On the
other side of the world, the Russian Space Agency wants to send a humanoid robot to the International
Space Station
Looking even further ahead, it's hard to imagine what the space robots of the future will be able to achieve.
Or what they will even look like. However, they will continue to help scientists and astronauts with their
space missions.As technology advances, could space robots replicate drones and fly over other planets?
Or become as intelligent as humans? Perhaps.Some people think that self-replicating robots could soon be
a real thing, too.Space robots might not be able to conquer planets or communicate with aliens just yet, but
they are far from science fiction. Without robots, scientists and astronauts can't complete their day-to-day
tasks. What will the future hold?
5. Space robot control system
A distributed control architecture using a CAN communication bus was
adopted for the space robot. Figure shows the space robot control
system.The space robot control system consisted of a wireless
programmable controller, a central controller, a vision data processor and a
power supply administration The PC-based wireless programmable
controller sent task and protection instructions to the central controller. In
return, it received feedback data such as joint positions, speeds and
torques. The central controller performed system control such as vision-
based path planning and Force and Position Hybrid Control. The vision
data processor performed vision information acquisition for robot
navigation. The power supply administration monitored and protected the
power supply system
8. Motion mechanism
The smooth movement of the robot within the system is necessary for simulating
microgravity. In order to ensure this smooth movement, a motion mechanism with
minimal friction was designed. The motion mechanism included three parts: a passive
tuning mechanism in the X direction, a passive tuning mechanism in the Y direction
and a supporting board.The passive tuning mechanisms in the X and Y directions
were both composed of two linear lead rails and four ball sliders. The friction
coefficient between the lead rails and slide blocks was 0.002˜0.003. There was little
difference between the static and dynamic friction, which provided the advantage of
high-precision positioning and good reproducibility. Despite the minimal feed
movement, the rolling movement mode along the linear lead rails ensured there was
no slipping phenomenon. The lead rails in the X direction were mounted on the slide
block in the Y direction. The supporting board was mounted on the slide block in the X
direction in order to ensure smooth passive slipping in both the X and Y directions.
9. Applications of Robots in Space
● Space robots take measurements for astronauts.
● They collect samples.
● They assemble and fix equipment and structures.
● Move around an astronaut.
10. Advantages of robots in space
Robots work with high precision, so there’ll be less chance for them to make any
mistakes. Not to mention even if there is a problem, the risk will be pretty slim
since it doesn’t applies to an actual human.
Robots don’t require any recuperation from exhaustion. To put it simply, they don’t
need food, water or any supply of oxygen. If they are on the verge of shutdown,
they can always recover themselves from the solar energy generated by sun.
Robots can be classified as armed slaves, and since they don’t get tired, they
don’t need any wink of sleep either. They can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, and 365/366 days an year non stop. Looking at it from different scenario if
they were planned to send in space there suit must have gone through various
tests and trials, so we can also say that there’ll be no need for spending millions
and millions of dollars on human suit.
11. Disadvantages of robots in space
Robots can’t think for themselves, they need some instructions from
humans to work on.
You might have seen this in movies or maybe even experienced it in
day to day life how the gadgets or robots are hacked or taken over by
malicious hackers, well space robot is no different.
Another disadvantage is the delay in commands. This point is important
as well since signal travels differently with different speeds in different
mediums. It might end up taking a lot of time to send and receive a
signal not to mention the robot has to wait idle for quite a lot of time to
receive its next instruction which instead could be used to do some
extra research.
