AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS - AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION IN SPACE EXPLORATION

摘要

The successful transfer process from a scientific experiment to commercial applications is the result of thecombination of excellence in Science, Industry resources and Political support.The methods and space technology developments foreseen in the DLR's Space program under thegovernance of the German Ministry of Economics emphasizes enhancements of high valuableautonomous space systems meeting the needs of the next decades through a successful integration ofnatural sciences, IT, materials sciences and communication.The experience in automation and robotics is gained through the Ground operations of Space systems, theInternationa] Space Station (ISS) experiments, crew safety procedures, tele-operation and tele-presencefor experiment support. This knowledge is brought further through the development of on-orbit servicingof satellites (OOS), on-orbit verification procedures, maintenance, repair and assembly, servicing robotsand inspection systems.Germany has the capability to contribute to the necessary infrastructure for lunar and Mars explorationas well to interplanetary operation with the advanced automation and robotic applications. Mobilesurface robots and surface facilities (habitats) provide the adequate infrastructure and architecture forSpace exploration.In this framework of ISS utilization and Exploration of the Solar system a scientific, political andcommercial controlled environment promotes a changing world from purely scientific exploration toPublic Private Partnership (PPP) markets. With the ROKVISS experiment - Robotic ComponentsVerification - the DLR scientists in tight interaction with engineers from the industry succeeded inexecuting high level robot commands on board ISS during direct radio link contact phases. ROKVISSdemonstrated a repeated verification of soft- and hardware components including joint parameters in arealistic free space environment.The potential of the technologies developed in the field of Space robotics, Automation technologies,orbital maintenance and servicing will create new commercial opportunities such as space debrismitigation applications, alternatives for controlled deorbiting, orbital life extension vehicles if relevant,planetary robotics infrastructure. Space robotics developments represent the "corner stone" to thefurther exploration of our Solar system as well as a challenging opportunity for commercial partners.