Zeitschrift für Fernerkundung und GIS

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Robonaut-the space robot inspired by NASA

Soumya Susan John

The Robonaut is an anthropomorphic system at NASA Johnson Space Center. It is intended specifically to use the interfaces designed for EVA astronaut. The program has been supported by DARPA. The robot is smaller than a suited astronaut; the level of dexterity is similar to a human hand working through a pressurized space-suited glove. The aim was to reduce crew workload on Space Shuttle and ISS missions by telerobotically preparing and disassembling worksites using Robonaut. Robonaut has a number of control modes, thus allowing it to be supervised and operated with a time delay of 2 to 10 seconds to represent operations throughout the Earth-Moon system. The development of Robonaut has expanded beyond its original concept with additional sensors and automation since early 2000s; it led to the capability of operating it from the ground thus alleviating further the workload of astronauts. Robonaut has been fitted with different lower bodies recently; it allowed the operation in a variety of environments. For example, Centaur has a four-wheel base, it has performed well during field tests intended to be analogs for lunar surface operations in coordination with a human return to the Moon.