Phys.org October 8, 2019
The first experiment took place in 2012 when NASA astronaut Sunita Williams controlled a LEGO rover in Germany to test a newly-developed ‘space internet’ – proving it is possible to control a rover from orbit. Human-robotic partnerships are at the heart of ESA’s exploration strategy. The ESA’s Meteron project was formed to develop the technology and know-how needed to operate rovers in harsh conditions. It covers all aspects of operations, from communications and the user interface to surface operations and even connecting the robots to the astronauts by sense of touch. The experiment, dubbed Analog-1, will combine all the know-how from a decade of the Meteron project into a full-scale test, teams controlling different aspects from the Netherlands, Germany. Video …read more. Tags:
Artist’s impression of the Gateway over the moon. The Gateway is the next structure to be launched by the partners of the International Space Station. Credit: ESA/NASA/ATG Medialab