Editorial: Multi-robot systems for space applications

The use of robotic systems in space currently allows new mission concepts and applications for the two orbit operations Papadopoulos et al. (2021) and exploration and exploration outside the world Zarei and Chhabra (2022). Spatial robots are provided as essential for many orbit operations (for example, maintenance, assembly and manufacturing), and their use in current and underdevelopment missions already seems consolidated or, in any case, achievable in a relatively short time Flores-Abad et al. (2014).

However, the increase in the level of preparation of these robotic technologies and the improvement of qualified calculation, calculation and activation capacities on space allow the proposal of new and more difficult missions using several robotic and autonomous systems. Missions that imply the construction of large structures (for example, for the research subject and the generation of spatial solar energy, for ultra-large telecommunications antennas, or for the observation of deep space via more telescopes Large than the James Webb space telescope) the possibility offered by manufacturing many specialized robotic systems interacts with each other to build, assemble and maintain large structures which may not be manageable by individual agents Roa et al. (2017).

For example, new missions to eliminate active debris and / or mission of asteroid redirection can involve swarms of small fractional spatial devices that approach, amortize and end up pushing the target to favorable orbits. On the other hand, planetary exploration can benefit from multiplatform interactions, for example, with drones, jump systems and rivers coordinate each other for mapping, analysis and exploration of March or other celestial bodies. Finally, distributed and cooperative robots can allow new in situ Concepts of resource use and construction of infrastructure for exploration and / or possible pre-human colonization Schuster et al. (2020).

The use of heterogeneous and cooperative robotic systems jointly with the use of artificial intelligence should increase the efficiency of the use of spatial resources and increase the level of autonomy in the design and control of new spatial missions. The objective of this research subject is therefore to offer a description of the boundaries of several cooperative and non -cooperative robot systems operating in space and list the enabling technologies which allow new mission concepts with high levels of autonomy and space cooperation.

We also note that the detection and perception of space are crucial to provide autonomous navigation and control for future planetary missions. Autonomous cartography can be carried out using simultaneous methods of location and cartography (Slam). In this case, the use of a multi-robot approach allows an increase in the robustness of the system and provides additional redundancy. In Van der Meer et al.A multi-robot solution for lunar exploration is described. This approach, called kingdoms, offers an evolutionary and adaptable solution using homogeneous and heterogeneous Rovers. This multi-robot approach increases the coverage and improves the efficiency of the system by performing the tasks required in parallel.

This work is aligned with one of the objectives of the NASA Artemis program, which involves spearhead of a series of missions to locate water ice on the lunar surface and to allow in situ Use of resources (springboard which allow prolonged stays for astronauts on the moon). In accordance with the requirements of technological progress in multi-robot systems for the Artemis mission, the NASA centenary challenge program provided phase 2 of NASA Space Robotics Challenge (SRCP2). The main objective of this competition was to actively involve the general public to advance localization, coordination, autonomy and control technologies for a team of exclusively dedicated robots in situ Use of resources in a simulated lunar environment. In this competition, Martinez Rocamora et al. Describes multi-robot systems and associated autonomous operating methodologies for a heterogeneous team of robots that cooperate in the lunar environment.

In the field of manipulators in orbit, multi-robot control systems have several challenges which require a more in-depth survey, in particular feasibility, closed loop stability and robustness. There are indeed major technological challenges in space manipulators and autonomous robotic spaceships, because missions can, for example, involve the execution of uncertain tasks in an unstructured environment. Spatial manipulators can even work with unidentified and tumultuant debris, and there may be uncertainties inherent in system and payload parameters. To answer these questions in space robotics, Kalaycioglu and Ruiter Offers a new approach to predictive control of the non-linear model that uses the concept of passivity for multi-robot systems. The system considered in this study is made up of a hunter spaceship, a target payload and two redundant manipulators. By using this approach, the proposed control scheme ensures closed loop stability and performance greater than other strategies.

In summary, the articles included in this research subject provide good exposure to the research subject linked to activation technologies and certain spatial missions and applications that use several robots and autonomous systems. We expect these studies to contribute to the use of space and the proliferation of multiple planetary and robotic cooperative systems in orbit. These robots will therefore probably allow the optimal use of space resources and increase the level of autonomy in the design and control of new spatial missions.