The document discusses the evolution, types, and applications of space robotics, highlighting how these machines assist in exploration and maintenance in the space environment. It outlines challenges in design, such as the effects of zero gravity and thermal conditions, as well as the advantages and limitations of using robots compared to human astronauts. Conclusively, it suggests that future advancements in robotics could enable broader access to space exploration for many people.

1. A TECHNICAL SEMINAR ON
SPACE ROBOTICS

2. SPACE ROBOTICS
TITLE PAGE
o INTRODUCTION
o WHAT ARE SPACE ROBOTS?
o EVOLUTION OF SPACE ROBOTS
o TYPES OF ROBOTS
o SPACE ROBOTS CHALLENGES IN DESIGN AND TESTING
o STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF ROBOTS
o CASE STUDY ON MEMS ON MARS ROVERS AND ROBONUT
o APPLICATIONS AND ADVANTAGES
o FUTURE DIRECTIONS
o CONCLUSION
o REFERENCES

3. INTRODUCTION
• SPACE ROBOTICS is the development of machines for the space environment that
perform exploration, or to assemble/construct , maintain or service other hardware in
space
• Humans generally control space robots locally(e . g. space shuttle robotic arm) or from
a great distance(e.g. mars Exploration rovers)
• Robotics is a field hat has been magnified by its association to space research.
• The most important thing to note is that the scale of success in space system is same
as that for biological systems i.e. “SURVIAVAL OF THE FITTEST”

4. WHAT ARE SPACE ROBOTS ?
• SPACE the word itself signifies something infinite.
• Space travel has always been dangerous and any unexpected
event can cause death
• It is here that the robots play a huge role and help mankind in
his research process.
• Development of machines for the space environment.
Usually controlled by humans.

5. EVOLUTION OF SPACE ROBOTS
SHAKEY (1966-1972):
 It is based on the SPA (sense, plan and action) algorithm.
 It is used in built world modules to match and worked
accordingly.
 FLOW CHART:

6. HYBRID SYSTEMS(2000-?)
FLOW CHART:
• The next generation of system is
called as probabilistic robots ,
which are under development and
research.

7. TYPES OF ROBOTS
1 Planetary robots 2 Orbit operators 3 Mineralogy robots

8.  ZERO “g” EFFECT ON DESIGN
 VACUUM THERMAL EFFECT
 OTHERFACTORS
 SPACE MODULAR MANIPULATORS
CHALLENGES IN SPACE DESIGN

9. ZERO “g” EFFECT
• Arm will be light in mass
• Manipulator arm -stiffness
based
• Joint actuators -selected based
on dynamic torque (based on the
acceleration of the arm).
• Lack of inertial frame.

10. VACUUM & THERMAL EFFECT
• Total mass loss (TML) <1%
• Collected volatile condensable matter (CVCM) <0.1%.
• Low temperature -embrittlement of the material, weaken adhesive bonding and
increase friction in bearings.
• Large thermal gradients -distortion in structural elements and jamming of the
mechanism

11. OTHER FACTORS
• Prime requirements of space systems is lightweight and compactness.
• Dynamic loads during launch-sinusoidal vibrations, random vibrations,
acoustic noise and separation shock spectra.

12. SPACE MODULAR MANIPULATORS
The unique thermal, vacuum and gravitational conditions of space drive different from the
typical laboratory robot
Four main design drivers were
• Extreme Thermal Conditions
• High Reliability Requirements
• Dynamic Performance
• Modular Design.

13. ROBOT PERFORMANCE
ASSESSMENT
 To identify the main source of error which perturb the
accuracy of the arm.
 To decide if the arm or the work cell must be
calibrated.
 To compare the expected improvement in accuracy in
calibration.
ROBOT CALIBRATION
Error sources are identified by a bottom up analysis
• Error sources are identified and are sorted into three
categories
• Systematic error
• Pseudo systematic error
• Random errors

14. STRUCTURE OF SPACE ROBOTS
A.JOINTS
B. ARM
C. WRIST
D.GRIPPER

15. JOINTS
 Two types of joints are
• Roll joint
• Pitch joint
 Each joint consists of
• Electro optical angular encoders
• Pancake type DC torque motors
• Harmonic gear
• Electromagnetically actuated
ARMS
A. Pick and place type
B. Fit tem to clamp or fixture
C. High accuracy attainable

16. OPERATION
SPACE SHUTTLE ROBOT ARM USES
Survey the outside of the Space Shuttle
 Transport an EVA crew member at the
end of the arm
Satellite deployment and retrieval
 Construction of International Space
Station

17. FREE FLYING SPACE ROBOTS
 In a free flying space robot a robot arm is attached to the
satellite base
 The satellite may start rotating in an uncontrollable way.
 The antenna communication link may be interrupted

19. SPACE STATION MOUNTED ROBOTS
JEMRMS SPDM

20. 1965 – First FLYBY (Mariner 4)
1971 – First ORBITER (Mariner 9)
1976 – First LANDER (Viking)
1997 – First ROVER (Sojourner)
MARS PROBE HIGHLIGHTS

21. Implementation of MEMS
The larger Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit
and Opportunity) landed in 2004. Spirit
lasted until 2010, Opportunity still going!
Curiosity was launched from Cape Canaveral on November 26, 2011, at 10:02. It landed on in Gale Crater on Mars August 5, 2012

22.  FIRST Humanoid robot in space
 It was launched in FEBRUARY (2011).
 It was developed by the NASA and GENERAL
MOTORS
 The ROBONUT will be official resident on the
International Space Station (ISS).
 Designed to help fix any problems occur on
ISS.

24. AREAS OF APPLICATION
• In orbit positioning and assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Resupply Scientific
Applications under above categories are
• Scientific Experimentation
• Assist crew in space station assembly
• Space servicing function
• Space craft enhancements
• Space Tug

25. PROS
•humans are still involved and controlling the
missions but without risking precious lives
•in the long, maintaining robots, inanimate beings,
in space is much easier and cheaper than living
beings
•robots have the capacity to be built to explore
environments humans can’t
•robots are faster and more efficient in observations
and conclusions, they don’t need computers to
certify information, they have it programmed…
they’re brain and bulk in one lighter specimen
•robots now have greater dexterity with new
technologies that allow them to have greater
dexterity than humans. This comes in handy when
dealing with precious, rare space debris
CONS
•sending robots into space doesn’t catch the public
attention in the same way human exploration does
•if something goes wrong in space and the robot’s
system depletes, without a human it’ll take a lot to get
the robot’s system rebooted again from Earth
•don’t have human reasoning… they might do things
and go places that are unknown and are a danger to
them

26. CONCLUSION
In the future, robotics will make it possible for billions of people to have lives of
leisure instead of the current preoccupation with material needs. There are hundreds of
millions who are now fascinated by space but do not have the means to explore it. For them
space robotics will throw open the door to explore and experience the universe.

27. REFERENCES
1. www.andrew.cmu.edu/~ycia/robot.html
2. www.space.mech.tohoku.ac.jp/research/overview/overvie
w.html
3. www.nanier.hq.nasa.gov/telerobotics-
page/technologies/0524.html
4. www.jem.tksc.nasda.go.jp/iss/3a/orb_rms_e.html
5. PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY by R. K. JAIN
6. INTRODUCTION TO SPACE ROBOTICS by ALEX
ELLERY