Telerobotics Program Plan

2.2 Technical Overview

The tasks described in the following section are the major activities of the Telerobotics Program in the current fiscal year (FY 1997). The tasks have been selected from those proposed for funding at the spring meeting of the Telerobotics Intercenter Working Group, and have been evaluated based on their technical content, potential for completion, relationship to user needs, and innovative solutions. To determine their applicability to the program goals and objectives, the tasks have been further evaluated against the major Telerobotics Program goals and objectives described in Section 1.3. A summary of this evaluation is shown in Figure 2-2, with each task in the current Telerobotics Program cross-referenced with the objectives previously detailed.

Objectives:

1 2 3 4 5
Planetary Rovers
  Mars Pathfinder Rover  
  Long Range Science Rovers / Remote Geologist        
    Natural LandmarkNavigation      
    Automated Geologist      
  Lightweight and Survivable Rover    
  Nano-rover Technology Development      
  Exploration of Small Bodies      
  Micro Lander Dexterous Manipulation      
  Robotic Subsurface Explorer        
  Planetary Aerobot Technology        
Lunar Rovers
  Autonomous Rover Technology - Antarctic Meteroite Rovers    
  Lunar Rover Demonstration - Desert Trek    
Attached Servicers
  Robotics Technologies for ISS Maintenance  
  Increased Autonomy for ISS Dexterous Robots      
  Robonaut Robotic Surrogate    
Free Flying Servicers
  Ranger Telerobotic Flight Experiment  
    Ranger Automated Visual Inspection System    
  AERcam II    
  Free Flying Camera Robots for Enhanced EVA Performance    
IVA Servicers
Robotics Technologies
  Real Time Learning Controllers For Enhanced Autonomy        
  MEMS System Commutated Miniature DC Motor        
  Low Mass, Compact, Muscle Actuators        
  Computer Vision Assisted Calibrated Synthetic Viewing        
  Modular Space Robotics      
  Multiple Autonomous Systems      
  Space Operations    
Terrestrial and Commercial Applications
  Robotics Engineering Consortium      
    Integrated Robot Control Architecture      
  Micro Telerobotics (RAMS)        
  Robotics Education        
Objectives:
 1 Develop, demonstrate and evaluate space telerobotics technology for the three primary application areas: on-orbit servicing, science payload robotics, and planetary surface exploration.
 2 Implement a technology flight experiment program to validate these technologies in space
 3 Transfer these technologies to operational on-orbit and planetary exploration missions.
 4 Transfer these technologies to terrestrial dual-use applications which contribute to the cost reduction of NASA ground operations and to the international economic competitiveness of the United States.
 5 Develop an infrastructure of robotics experts and facilities to support the future development of these technologies.

Figure 2-2 Program Task Activities




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Maintained by: Dave Lavery
Last updated: January 2, 1997