Introduction

The goal of the telerobotics program is to develop, integrate and demonstrate the science and technology of remote telerobotics leading to increases in operational capability, safety, cost effectiveness and probability of success of NASA missions. To that end, the program fosters the development of innovative system concepts for on-orbit and satellite servicing, planetary, and Lunar surface missions which use telerobotic systems as an important central component. These concepts are carried forward into developments which are used to evaluate and demonstrate technology in realistic flight and ground experiments. The technologies developed have important dual uses both in their contributions to NASA thrusts in science, transportation, platforms, exploration, and operations through the development of cheaper, better, faster telerobotic systems for space applications and in the seed planted for applications in such commercial areas as agriculture, medical robotics, and subsea exploration. The goals are being achieved by a programmatic structure which stimulates major participation by universities and industrial partners.

The purpose of this document is to describe the NASA Telerobotics Program in terms of the objectives, framework, content, and planned future initiatives of the program. Specifically, this document:

	defines the programmatic and technical goals and objectives of the program and of the major work packages (Section 1.3 and Section 2.2)
	provides traceability to mission-derived technology requirements (Section 1.5 and Section 2.2)
	specifies the top-level work breakdown structure (Section 2.1)
	defines the management approach (including structure, participating centers and individual roles, responsibility, and accountability) (Section 3.0)
	establishes resource allocations and associated schedules, milestones, and deliverables (Schedules of Section 2.3)
	documents long-range (i.e., five year) program planning (Section 1.4 with individual task goals in Section 2.2)