Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Driving robots from space. Landing humans on a distant object is one thing, but they will also need the fuel and equipment to work and return to Earth when done. Sending robots to scout landing sites and prepare habitats for humans is more efficient and safer, especially if the robots are controlled by astronauts who can react and adapt to situations better than computer minds.
Credit: ESA

The International Space Station (ISS) is serving as a test bed platform for controlling robots on Earth.

European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen took part in ESA’s Meteron project. The effort showcases the ability to operate lunar robots from a spacecraft orbiting the Moon.

A similar technique and technology is expected to prove useful for establishing base camps on Mars prior to human arrival.

Networks, interfaces and hardware

Meteron is developing the communication networks, interfaces and hardware to operate robots from a distance in space.

Mogensen directly controlled the Eurobot rover in a simulated troubleshooting Moon scenario. A second rover was controlled by ESA’s center in Germany, allowing the space traveler to focus on Eurobot and intervene if necessary.

ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen commanded the Eurobot rover from the International Space Station. As part of ESA’s Meteron project, the space flyer drove the car-sized rover to repair a mockup lunar base in the Netherlands.
Credit: ESA

The demonstration showed that robots can perform valuable tasks and two can collaborate efficiently, even if they are controlled from miles apart.

European leadership

“With two very successful rover operations on Earth controlled from space on two consecutive days, we are looking forward to continuing Europe’s leadership in human-robot cooperation with many more projects,” adds Meteron project coordinator, Philippe Schoonejans.

Go to this informative video on the test at:

http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2015/09/Andreas_Mogensen_controls_ground_rover_from_space