Autonomous technology has always been an important part of space exploration. Spacecraft can be fully autonomous or can work in collaboration with human operator on earth. All space exploration vehicles needs to be at least partly autonomous because of the distance that separates it from the nearest space station. Far distances mean that communication with the vehicle will always be delayed, therefore the vehicle won’t be able to react to sudden changes. For example, it takes 14 minutes for a signal from Mars to reach Earth. In some cases no communication at all is possible, for instance, if something is blocking the signal. And when it happens, it is important that a vehicle can make its own decisions. Spacecraft uses autonomous technology for a variety of functions including navigation, take-off and more importantly for safe landing. The most famous autonomous space exploration vehicles are mars rovers. They use autonomous technology to go
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Robonauts and automated vehicles in general can resolve by themselves only very specific types of problems that they are programmed to resolve in advance. While astronauts can adapt and manage to counter problems not included in training.
Robonaut 2 is currently working on International Space Station. NASA will test how Robonaut 2 works in space. If it will fulfil NASA’s hopes, it will remain in the International Space Station and will be given more jobs to do.
Unfortunately developing autonomous space vehicles and robots is a hard and costly process. For most missions it is cheaper to train astronauts than develop a robot that can perform the necessary tasks. However, autonomous technology has a great potential to prove itself in the long run, because while development costs are extremely high, robots can spend a much longer time in spacethan humans without the need to return on Earth or resupply. This may make operational costs significantly
Robonauts and automated vehicles in general can resolve by themselves only very specific types of problems that they are programmed to resolve in advance. While astronauts can adapt and manage to counter problems not included in training.
Robonaut 2 is currently working on International Space Station. NASA will test how Robonaut 2 works in space. If it will fulfil NASA’s hopes, it will remain in the International Space Station and will be given more jobs to do.
Unfortunately developing autonomous space vehicles and robots is a hard and costly process. For most missions it is cheaper to train astronauts than develop a robot that can perform the necessary tasks. However, autonomous technology has a great potential to prove itself in the long run, because while development costs are extremely high, robots can spend a much longer time in spacethan humans without the need to return on Earth or resupply. This may make operational costs significantly