The utilization of robotic systems in space is currently enabling new mission concepts and applications for both in-orbit operations, as well as off-world exploration and exploitation. Space robots are foreseen as essential for numerous on-orbit operations (e.g. servicing, assembly and manufacturing) and their utilization in ongoing and under development missions seems already consolidated or, in any case, achievable in a relatively short time.
However, the increase in the technology readiness level of such robotic technology and the enhancement of the space-qualified computational, sensory and actuation capabilities allows for the proposal of new and more challenging missions utilizing multiple robotic and autonomous systems. Missions that involve the construction of large structures (e.g., for the collection and generation of space-based solar power, for ultra-large telecommunication antennas, or for deep space observation via telescopes with sizes that go beyond the James Webb Space Telescope) will definitively use numerous and specialized robotic systems interacting with each other to build, assemble and maintain such large structures.
For example, new active debris removal missions and/or asteroid redirection missions might involve swarms of small fractionated spacecraft approaching, docking, and eventually pushing the target towards favourable orbits. On the other hand, planetary exploration would benefit from the actual cross-platform interaction, e.g., with drones, hopping systems and rovers coordinating each other for mapping, analyzing, and exploring Mars or other celestial bodies. Finally, distributed and cooperative robots would enable new in-situ resource utilization concepts and the construction of infrastructures for an eventual pre-human exploration and/or colonization.
The utilization of heterogeneous and cooperative robotic systems jointly with the use of artificial intelligence will allow the optimal use of space recurses and increase the level of autonomy in the design and control of new space missions.
The goal of this Research Topic is to offer a comprehensive description of the frontiers of multiple cooperative and non-cooperative robot systems operating in space and show all the enabling technologies that allow for new mission concepts that involve a high level of autonomy and cooperation in space.
This Research Topic focuses on all the enabling technologies or all the enabled space missions and applications that utilize multiple robots and autonomous systems. We are inviting papers that are focusing (but not only) on:
• Application of multiple robotic systems performing in-space inspection, life extension, repair, refueling, and upgrade operations.
• Cooperative robotics for manufacturing and assembly of large infrastructures in space and on celestial bodies
• Space applications for modular and reconfigurable robotic systems
• New-mission concepts enabled by multiple cooperative robot systems
• Swarms and spacecraft formation flying systems performing complex operations in orbit
• Cooperative and uncooperative rendezvous strategies by multi-spacecraft and robotic systems
• Heterogenous robotic systems for in-orbit operations and planetary/asteroid exploration and exploitation
• Celestial body exploration and in-situ resource utilization with multiple robotic systems
• Multi-agent coordination for space applications
• Task management and allocation to space multi-agent systems
• Distributed control strategies for space applications
• Distributed sensor data fusion and estimation techniques for space applications
• AI-based algorithms for multi-agent space robotic applications
The utilization of robotic systems in space is currently enabling new mission concepts and applications for both in-orbit operations, as well as off-world exploration and exploitation. Space robots are foreseen as essential for numerous on-orbit operations (e.g. servicing, assembly and manufacturing) and their utilization in ongoing and under development missions seems already consolidated or, in any case, achievable in a relatively short time.
However, the increase in the technology readiness level of such robotic technology and the enhancement of the space-qualified computational, sensory and actuation capabilities allows for the proposal of new and more challenging missions utilizing multiple robotic and autonomous systems. Missions that involve the construction of large structures (e.g., for the collection and generation of space-based solar power, for ultra-large telecommunication antennas, or for deep space observation via telescopes with sizes that go beyond the James Webb Space Telescope) will definitively use numerous and specialized robotic systems interacting with each other to build, assemble and maintain such large structures.
For example, new active debris removal missions and/or asteroid redirection missions might involve swarms of small fractionated spacecraft approaching, docking, and eventually pushing the target towards favourable orbits. On the other hand, planetary exploration would benefit from the actual cross-platform interaction, e.g., with drones, hopping systems and rovers coordinating each other for mapping, analyzing, and exploring Mars or other celestial bodies. Finally, distributed and cooperative robots would enable new in-situ resource utilization concepts and the construction of infrastructures for an eventual pre-human exploration and/or colonization.
The utilization of heterogeneous and cooperative robotic systems jointly with the use of artificial intelligence will allow the optimal use of space recurses and increase the level of autonomy in the design and control of new space missions.
The goal of this Research Topic is to offer a comprehensive description of the frontiers of multiple cooperative and non-cooperative robot systems operating in space and show all the enabling technologies that allow for new mission concepts that involve a high level of autonomy and cooperation in space.
This Research Topic focuses on all the enabling technologies or all the enabled space missions and applications that utilize multiple robots and autonomous systems. We are inviting papers that are focusing (but not only) on:
• Application of multiple robotic systems performing in-space inspection, life extension, repair, refueling, and upgrade operations.
• Cooperative robotics for manufacturing and assembly of large infrastructures in space and on celestial bodies
• Space applications for modular and reconfigurable robotic systems
• New-mission concepts enabled by multiple cooperative robot systems
• Swarms and spacecraft formation flying systems performing complex operations in orbit
• Cooperative and uncooperative rendezvous strategies by multi-spacecraft and robotic systems
• Heterogenous robotic systems for in-orbit operations and planetary/asteroid exploration and exploitation
• Celestial body exploration and in-situ resource utilization with multiple robotic systems
• Multi-agent coordination for space applications
• Task management and allocation to space multi-agent systems
• Distributed control strategies for space applications
• Distributed sensor data fusion and estimation techniques for space applications
• AI-based algorithms for multi-agent space robotic applications
