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Autonomous Systems & Robotics
Autonomous Systems & Robotics
Autonomous systems and robotics technologies consist of software and
hardware devices that enable functions that cannot be performed by the crew, enhance crew activities, or operate during uncrewed periods. As this capability is cross-cutting, some autonomous systems or robotic technologies may be included in other relevant sections of the catalog. Overall, the technologies listed are those that may be of utility to logistics.
| Civil Space Shortfalls | SF02, SF15, SF16 |
| ESDMD Architecture-Driven Technology Gaps | 0804, 0805, 0806, 0808,1001,1005 |
| Primary Technology Taxonomy | TX04.3, TX10 |
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Integrated System for Autonomous and Adaptive Caretaking (ISAAC)
 | Description Remote and autonomous care taking of Gateway when crew are not onboard using multi-sensor survey technology Potential Use Cases Maintenance, logistics management, utilization tasks, fault detection, isolation, and recovery TRL: 6 Intended Environment: Low Earth Orbit, Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort  |
Task And Motion Planning for Space Operations with Human Assisted Recovery (PICKNIK)
 | Description Autonomous space robotics with human-assisted task recovery planning Potential Use Cases Logistics, manufacturing, sustained operations (habitats, laboratories, construction sites) TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Low Earth Orbit, Moon, Mars Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
High Performance Spaceflight Computing
 | Description Next-gen spaceflight computing: radiation hardened by design, power optimized, fault-tolerant, secure with high-performance device ecosystem (neural co-processors, networking, and more) Potential Use Cases Autonomous operations (100X the computational capacity of current flight processors for the same amount of power), surface exploration, crew assist systems, science payload processing TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Low Earth Orbit, Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Dust Tolerant Electropermanent Magnetic Tool Interface (Altius Space Machines)
 | Description Electropermanent magnet (EPM) gripping technology that can be integrated into a modular, dust-tolerant end-effector or tool-changer assembly Potential Use Cases Low mass/power manipulator tool for AS&R/Logistics/Mobility element TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Bulk Metallic Glass Gear
 | Description Bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys for gearboxes and actuators to operate without wet lubricants and thus without power consuming heaters Potential Use Cases Logistics element/asset actuation TRL: 6 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA Discover More at Techport |
Motors for Dusty & Extremely Cold Environments (MDECE)
 | Description Unheated magnetically-geared motor and an unheated piezoelectric motor that can operate continuously for a long duration at an ambient temperature of -240 ºC (33 K) Potential Use Cases Logistics element/asset motors/actuators TRL: 6 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Universal Docking Interface for Free-Flying Robots (Honeybee Robotics)
 | Description Unheated magnetically-geared motor and an unheated piezoelectric motor that can operate continuously for a long duration at an ambient temperature of -240 ºC (33 K) Potential Use Cases Logistics element/asset motors/actuators TRL: 6 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Motion And Pose Estimation for Autonomy of Dynamic/Contact Tasks
 | Description Torrefaction processing that sterilizes feces and produces a stable, odor-free solid product, while recovering moisture Potential Use Cases Waste sterilization, fecal water recovery (100+%) TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Low Earth Orbit, Moon, Mars Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Machine Vision Automation for Ground Control Tele-Robotics
| Description Steam reformation, methanation, and electrolysis to convert organic waste into water, dry vent gas, and a small amount of inorganic residue, thereby reducing transit propellant and tankage mass Potential Use Cases Trash mass and volume reduction, water recovery, syngas production TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Mars Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Lightweight Surface Manipulation System (LSMS)
 | Description Scalable autonomous robotic 4 DOF cargo manipulation (with wrist attachment) Potential Use Cases Offloading (35 kg to 1000+ kg, reach 2.25 m to 8+ m), uploading (35 kg to 1000+ kg, reach 2.25 m to 8+ m) Lifting Capability 100s kg to 1000s kg TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Telehandler
 | Description Mobile, semi-autonomous cargo offloading with 4 DOF manipulation Potential Use Cases Offloading (2500 kg, reach 3.5 m), uploading (2500 kg, reach 3.5 m), cargo transport Lifting Capability 100s kg to 1000s kg TRL: 3 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: NASA |
Robotic Efficient Arm for Cargo Handling (Apptronik Inc.)
| Description Autonomous and crew assisted cargo offloading, 5 DOF manipulation Potential Use Cases Offloading (115 kg, reach 2 m), uploading (115 kg, reach 2 m), assisting crew operations Lifting Capability 100s kg to 1000s kg TRL: 4 Intended Environment: Moon, Mars Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Robotic Interface Dogtags for Autonomous Habitat Outfitting and Logistics (Altius)
 | Description Development of a lightweight, low-cost, passive “DogTag” robotic interface that can be attached to various habitat structures and objects Potential Use Cases Robotic outfitting, object identification TRL: 3 Intended Environment: Low Earth Orbit, Moon, Mars Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Mars Insight Instrument Deployment Arm
 | Description Small-scale cargo manipulation and scientific sample collection, 4 DOF manipulation Potential Use Cases Scientific sample collection, small payload offloading (9.5 kg, reach 1.8 m), uploading (9.5 kg, reach 1.8 m) Lifting Capability 10 kg TRL: 9 Intended Environment: Mars Technology Source: NASA Read More About NASA’s Robotic Arm |
xWalker (MOTIV Space Systems)
 | Description Enhanced inspection and manipulation for lunar assembly, Small-scale 7 DOF manipulation Potential Use Cases Small payload offloading, uploading, manipulation Lifting Capability 10 kg TRL: 5 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Discover More at TechPort |
Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDARM)
 | Description Small-scale offloading and scientific tasks with bulk metallic gears and cold operable motor controllers are transferable to other robotic agents, 4 DOF manipulation Potential Use Cases Small scale offloading (4 kg, reach 2 m), uploading (4 kg, reach 2 m), scientific sample collection Lifting Capability 10 kg TRL: 6 Intended Environment: Moon Technology Source: NASA Discover More at TechPort |
Mars Perserverance Robotic Arm
 | Description Small-scale cargo manipulation and scientific sample collection, 5 DOF manipulation Potential Use Cases Scientific sample collection, small payload offloading (45 kg, reach 2 m), uploading (45 kg, reach 2 m) Lifting Capability 10 kg TRL: 9 Intended Environment: Mars Technology Source: NASA Read More About NASA’s Robotic Arm |
