Robotics and control R&D in the Canadian Space Station program

Abstract

The Canadian Space Agency has chosen space robotics as one of its key niche areas, and currently more than 75% of the space robotic program resources is for the International Space Station. As a result of this the Canadian Space Station Program has invested considerable research and development effort in the field of robotics and control. This R&D effort is occurring both in the main mobile servicing system (MSS) program, which is designing the Space Station robotic system, and in the Strategic Technologies for Automation and Robotics Program which is developing key technologies for the evolutionary MSS. An overview is given of the robotics and control R&D in both of these programs. The two programs also make use of the CSA Automation and Robotics Testbed, which is also described.