Towards autonomous inspection of space systems using mobile robotic sensor platforms

Edmond Wong, Ashraf Saad, Jonathan S. Litt

Research output: Contribution to book or proceedingConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

The space transportation systems required to support NASA's Exploration Initiative will demand a high degree of reliability to ensure mission success. This reliability can be realized through autonomous fault/damage detection and repair capabilities. It is crucial that such capabilities are incorporated into these systems since it will be impractical to rely upon Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), visual inspection or tele-operation due to the costly, labor-intensive and time-consuming nature of these methods. One approach to achieving this capability is through the use of an autonomous inspection system comprised of miniature mobile sensor platforms that will cooperatively perform high-confidence inspection of space vehicles and habitats. This paper will discuss the efforts to develop a small scale demonstration test-bed to investigate the feasibility of using autonomous mobile sensor platforms to perform inspection operations. Progress will be discussed in technology areas including: the hardware implementation and demonstration of robotic sensor platforms, the implementation of a hardware test-bed facility, and the investigation of collaborative control algorithms.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCollection of Technical Papers - Space 2006 Conference
Pages2017-2026
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2006
EventSpace 2006 Conference - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: Sep 19 2006Sep 21 2006

Publication series

NameCollection of Technical Papers - Space 2006 Conference
Volume3

Conference

ConferenceSpace 2006 Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose, CA
Period09/19/0609/21/06

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