<title>Robotics for space exploration</title>

Abstract

Significant effort is being applied to defining NASA's Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). The current thrust is, at least in the early stages, to perform the mission in a manner that is both cost effective and low risk. The first manned-mission element is the development of the first lunar outpost (FLO). As currently envisioned this is a manned mission with little or no robotics content, yet there are a number of places where robotic systems would be expected to be used. The lack of robotics use seems to be happening because there is no systems engineering approach to demonstrate that robotic capability is a low risk achievable mission. This paper first reviews the robotic potential for these missions and some of the challenges that appear to be presented. Then we draw parallels to other bodies of system engineering where system engineering methodologies are well developed. Finally, we begin to draw parallels between metrics and robotic system engineering. It is the authors' hope that significant quantities of research exist which can be put into this framework. We look forward to hearing about it.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.