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NASA’s Robotic Asteroid Mission
In 2016 NASA will launch a robotic craft towards an asteroid to explore and collect samples. The mission is called OSIRIS-REx , or Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer and will return to Earth in 2023.
This is a critical step in meeting the objectives outlined by President Obama to extend our reach beyond low-Earth orbit and explore into deep space,” said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden. “It’s robotic missions like these that will pave the way for future human space missions to an asteroid and other deep space destinations.
It will take the spacecraft nearly 4 years to reach asteroid 1999 RQ36, which is approximately 1,900 feet in diameter. Then the spacecraft will map the entire asteroid before selecting a place to extend a robotic arm to collect samples. Hopefully this mission will help us understand the birth of the solar system better. The spacecraft will use LIDAR and OCAMS (Orbital Communications Adapter Monitoring System) among many other electronics and will be built by Lockheed Martin.
Link via (Boing Boing)
First Responder Robot
Image from NASA
Cleveland firefighters have teamed up with the NASA Glenn Research Center to create a first responder robot called MARSHA or Mobile and Remote Sensing Hazmat Activity.
Lt. Terry Bindernagel of the Cleveland Fire Department and colleague Ronald James have been working with NASA to develop a robot to benefit bomb squads and fire departments as well as HAZMAT teams. MARSHA will be outfitted with a variety of sensors, including a camera and a WiFi connection. Aimed at first responders, the idea behind MARSHA is to be the first one into a burning building instead of a firefighter. That way, the robot can assess the situation instead of a human.
Shown here is the MARSHA network system with MARSHA 1.5. MARSHA 2 also has a large gripper arm capable of lifting up to 30 pounds and can also carry a smaller robot called Busbot that can fit into small spaces.
Hopefully MARSHA will be perfected this year and eventually made available to other municipalities, not just Cleveland.
No word on cost or how much heat MARSHA can withstand, especially with those rubber tank treads, but we think this is an excellent idea.
Link via (Cleveland.com)
Robonaut 2 In Space
After several delays since last November, Robonaut 2 is about to go into space. If all goes well, the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch today at 4:50 pm. Once launched, it will travel to the International Space Station.
Robonaut 2 will do the following while on board the International Space Station:
Robonaut 2 (R2), will be installed in the U.S. Destiny laboratory, providing scientists and engineers on the ground and crews on the station an opportunity to test how humans and human-like robots can work shoulder-to- shoulder in microgravity. Once this has been demonstrated inside the station, software upgrades and lower bodies can be added, potentially allowing R2 to move around inside the station and eventually work outside in the vacuum of space. This will help NASA understand robotic capabilities for future deep space missions.
Click through for a video of Robonaut 2. Good luck Robonaut 2!
Update 2/25 – the shuttle launch was a success! We can’t wait to see what Robonaut does at the Space Station.
Robonaut 2 In Space
Robonaut 2 is about to go into space. The Space Shuttle Discovery launch that was originally scheduled for today has been delayed until Wednesday at 3:52. Once launched, it will travel to the International Space Station.
Robonaut 2 will do the following while on board the International Space Station:
Robonaut 2 (R2), will be installed in the U.S. Destiny laboratory, providing scientists and engineers on the ground and crews on the station an opportunity to test how humans and human-like robots can work shoulder-to- shoulder in microgravity. Once this has been demonstrated inside the station, software upgrades and lower bodies can be added, potentially allowing R2 to move around inside the station and eventually work outside in the vacuum of space. This will help NASA understand robotic capabilities for future deep space missions.
Update 11/8: Mission has been scrubbed for various reasons until 11/30
Update 2/25/11: Mission sucessful – Robonaut 2 is in space
NASA Night Rover Challenge
NASA has come up with another challenge. It wants you to design a rover that doesn’t weigh any more, but works at night as well as during the day thanks to solar panels or other means.
The Challenge would be to demonstrate a portable energy collection and storage system through several cycles of daylight and darkness. During the daylight period, systems can collect photons or thermal energy from the sun. During darkness, the stored energy would be used to move the entire mobile system toward a destination. The competitors may collect, store, and extract the solar energy in any form that they desire