Space Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Technologies, Advances and Applications

Space robotics and autonomous systems (Space RAS) play a critical role in current and future development of mission-defined machines that can survive in space to perform exploration, assembly, construction, maintenance, and servicing tasks. They represent a multi-disciplinary emerging field at the intersection of space engineering, terrestrial robotics, computer science and materials. The field is essential to human's ability to explore or operate in space by providing greater access beyond human spaceflight limitations in the harsh environment of space and by providing greater operational handling that extends astronauts' capabilities. Space RAS covers all types of robotics for the exploration of a planet surface as well as robotics used in orbit around the Earth and the sensors needed by the platform for navigation or control. This edited book covers Space robotics and autonomous systems (Space RAS) from technologies to advances and applications including sensing & perception, mobility, manipulations, high-level autonomy, human-robot interaction, multi-modal interaction, modelling and simulation, and safety and trust.