A Robotics Perspective On Human Spaceflight
Abstract
There has traditionally been a dichotomy in the space community regarding the efficacy of human versus robotic exploration of space. I argue that no such dichotomy is necessary, and that there is a natural and synergistic division of labour between man and machine, and that this division of labour will evolve in symbiotic fashion. The present state-of-the-art robotics technology is insufficient to replace the human in space, but is sufficient to act as a useful, even necessary, tool in aiding the astronaut in the conduct of useful work. I further argue that as robotics technology advances, the human will be further relieved to perform tasks best suited to human decision-making and flexibility that is unlikely in the near-term to be matched by autonomous or teleoperated machines.
- Publication:
-
Earth Moon and Planets
- Pub Date:
- November 1999
- DOI:
- 10.1023/A:1013190908003
- Bibcode:
- 1999EM&P...87..173E
- Keywords:
-
- AUTONOMY;
- EXPLORATION;
- IN-ORBIT;
- MANNED;
- MARS;
- PLANETARY;
- ROBOTIC;
- SPACE;
- TELEROBOTIC;
- UNMANNED;
- Autonomy;
- exploration;
- in-orbit;
- manned;
- Mars;
- planetary;
- robotic;
- space;
- telerobotic;
- unmanned;
- AUTONOMY;
- EXPLORATION;
- IN-ORBIT;
- MANNED;
- MARS;
- PLANETARY;
- ROBOTIC;
- SPACE;
- TELEROBOTIC;
- UNMANNED