Space Robotics: Current Status, Long-term Objectives, and Development Trends. Analytical Review

Abstract

Prospects for space robotics concern both the development of used prototypes to extend the capabilities and the creation of new classes of systems, the operating analogues of which are, currently, unavailable. Thus, a uniqueness of the objects of space robotics, extreme operating conditions, difficulty in full-scale ground work and tests define a variety of design solutions and a wide scope of issues for further theoretical and experimental studies. The paper highlights the tasks successfully solved up to date, involving the space robotics equipment that was used in orbital environment, those of currently solved, involving the robotics equipment that is in use, and the long-term objectives, following from the logic of the space technology development to define the ways of its further development and require a development and creation of new equipment of space robotics. Thus, the development trends of space robotics are largely defined by its history of development, on the one hand, and by a growing demand for the robotic service as applied to the promising objects of space technology, on the other one. The paper considers the trends of space robotics development, which are a consequence of the natural logic of its development and are determined by a demand for advanced objects of space technology in robotic servicing. Highlights the most important elements of a design concept and the creating and operating features of the multipurpose extendable space systems, including those, which have no analogues and prototypes, are rolled into one demand for automation, and associated with their creation, operation, and problems of utilization. The concept of assembly and service autonomous robotic space modules has been under consideration. Within the orbital assembly procedure, the typical dynamic modes, relevant in terms of practical implementation of controlled movement are highlighted.