<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <rss version="2.0">
      <channel xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
        <title>Frontiers in Space Technologies | Space Robotics section | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/space-technologies/sections/space-robotics</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Space Robotics section in the Frontiers in Space Technologies journal | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-05-08T19:54:03.227+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2026.1741757</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2026.1741757</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Semi-autonomous exploration of martian and lunar analogues with a legged robot using a Raman-equipped robotic arm and microscopic imager]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-31T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Gabriela Ligeza</author><author>Philip Arm</author><author>Tomaso R. R. Bontognali</author><author>Valentin T. Bickel</author><author>Hendrik Kolvenbach</author><author>Nikolaus J. Kuhn</author><author>Florian Kehl</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Future planetary exploration missions require advanced robotic capabilities to efficiently identify and characterize lithologies, rock textures, and mineralogies for astrobiological investigations and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Traditional single-target, human-supervised robot and instrument control methodologies are constrained by operational limitations, particularly on Mars, where long communication delays hinder real-time decision-making. This study explores an alternative semi-autonomous, multi-target exploration strategy using a legged robotic system, which could enable faster, more efficient surface prospecting on the Moon and Mars. To assess this approach, we conducted Martian and lunar analogue missions using the legged robot ANYmal, equipped with a custom-built microscopic imager (MICRO) and a Raman spectrometer (MIRA XTR, Metrohm, Switzerland) mounted on a robotic arm. The primary objectives were to: (1) evaluate the feasibility of semi-autonomous, multi-target sampling, (2) compare it to conventional single-target, human-supervised exploration, and (3) assess the potential of MICRO and Raman spectroscopy in identifying lunar and Martian analogue samples. This study presents a successful demonstration of two distinct operational strategies, emphasizing the potential of multi-target robotic prospection for faster data acquisition in missions where real-time robot piloting is not possible, and the generation of scientifically valuable data for rock sample characterization. Furthermore, it highlights the effectiveness of robotic arm-mounted instruments, such as MICRO and the Raman spectrometer, in supporting astrobiological investigations and resource prospecting missions. The findings provide valuable insights for the development of semi-autonomous, high-efficiency robotic exploration systems, contributing to the advancement of future Mars missions and planetary surface exploration.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2025.1701442</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2025.1701442</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Building beyond earth: a roadmap for human-robot collaboration and workforce development in extraterrestrial construction]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>Amirhosein Jafari</author><author>Carlos E. Gary-Bicas</author><author>Yufeng Qian</author><author>Andrew M. Webb</author><author>Yimin Zhu</author><author>Jason Jamerson</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Creating sustainable habitats on the Moon and Mars requires converging advances in construction technologies, human-robot collaboration (HRC), and workforce development. This paper synthesizes insights from a transdisciplinary workshop that focuses on three main themes: (1) trust-calibrated HRC systems for latency-laden and safety-critical tasks; (2) construction technology for extraterrestrial applications, for example, those challenges of dust mitigation, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), and planetary protection; and (3) immersive and AI-assisted training that incorporates the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities for the future-ready workforce. Participants involved in this transdisciplinary workshop identified regolith-based additive manufacturing, high-fidelity HRC testbeds, adaptive extended-reality (XR) training, and modular energy opportunities as near-term priorities. This study presents a converging roadmap that focuses on a series of prioritized, scalable steps over 1–15 years, incorporating technology, human, and ethical considerations to inform endeavors like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis Program and the European Space Agency (ESA) Moon Village concept. The framework positions extraterrestrial construction as a socio-technical endeavor by providing actionable steps toward sustainable extraterrestrial habitation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2025.1534477</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2025.1534477</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Feasibility study of a cold gas-propelled autonomous surveying vehicle for lunar environments]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-06-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Nikita Jagdish</author><author>Brian C. Gunter</author>
        <description><![CDATA[With impending plans for establishing the first long-term lunar base camp, there is a need to find sustainable habitation sites on the Moon. Discovered in 2009, lunar lava tubes have shown potential for base sites and have been proposed for devoted exploratory missions. These underground environments could provide protection from drastic temperature changes, radiation, and other extreme conditions on the Moon. However, they have only been observed by orbiters and little is known about their internal structure or suitability for habitation. Various ground-based robotic systems have been proposed to conduct an initial survey, but ground vehicles have a high risk of being immobilized on rough terrain. This paper introduces the concept and begins the development of an Autonomous Surveying Vehicle (ASV) as a candidate to explore these lava tubes. Although other vehicles have been previously proposed, the novelty of this concept lies in its compact design (<10kg), reusability, and safety. The ASV will feature a self-contained, refillable propulsion system that provides full mobility, allowing the vehicle to explore the lava tubes efficiently across multiple short-term surveying missions. The propulsion system will utilize low-pressure, inert cold gas to ensure safety for the user and avoid contamination of potential resources within the lava tubes. The vehicle will also be equipped with on-board sensors, such as inertial sensors and LiDAR, and an autonomous navigation system to simultaneously map and traverse the tubes. The ASV will be compact and inexpensive compared to other proposed systems, putting forth a simpler option for an initial survey of the tubes to determine whether a more extensive exploratory mission is warranted. These compact, low-pressure vehicles will allow astronauts or rovers to explore features in real-time, gather and process data in the field, and conduct repeated surveys on targets of interest. The ASVs will also be valuable for other surveying missions in above-ground environments that would otherwise be inaccessible or hazardous for rovers and humans. This study outlines the mission goals and requirements, begins the development of the cold gas propulsion system, and conducts lunar simulations to demonstrate the overall utility and feasibility of the concept.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2024.1447545</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2024.1447545</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Tip and vibration control of space robots using estimated flexible coordinates]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-09-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Dhruvi Patel</author><author>Christopher J. Damaren</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This paper provides an extension to previous work on end-effector control of flexible space manipulators. Those works considered the use of a special output called the μ-tip rate for feedback control of desired end-effector trajectories with simultaneous vibration control. Implementation of this special output requires measurement of end-effector position or the use of flexible forward kinematics to determine it. For the latter, one requires measurements of the joint angles and flexible coordinates. The second of these is difficult to measure in space scenarios, so this paper looks at the use of an estimation scheme to approximate it and use it in a task-space control law. Multiple simulations are conducted to investigate the use of these approximated elastic coordinates in robustly controlling a one-link and two-link flexible manipulator with a payload mass. The error between desired and actual trajectory is calculated, and the results are juxtaposed with results from a joint-space feedback scheme. There is an emphasis on comparing the estimated elastic coordinates with the actual simulated coordinates. Using the estimated elastic coordinates to determine the end-effector location via forward kinematics, yielded similar results to when the actual elastic coordinates were used. Overall, the estimation equation used is shown to provide reasonable end-effector tracking results with the end-effector being able to track various types of trajectories.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2023.1173593</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2023.1173593</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Advancing robotic exploration of asteroids and comets: A threat, an opportunity, or both?]]></title>
        <pubdate>2023-03-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Stefania Soldini</author><author>Josep M. Trigo-Rodriguez</author><author>Masatoshi Hirabayashi</author><author>Aurelie Moussi</author><author>Yuichi Tsuda</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1054360</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1054360</link>
        <title><![CDATA[ORIGO: A mission concept to challenge planetesimal formation theories]]></title>
        <pubdate>2023-01-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Technology and Code</category>
        <author>Raphael Marschall</author><author>Nicolas Thomas</author><author>Stephan Ulamec</author><author>Stubbe Hviid</author><author>Stefano Mottola</author><author>Jean-Baptiste Vincent</author><author>Francesca Ferri</author><author>Alain Herique</author><author>Dirk Plettemeier</author><author>Ákos Kereszturi</author><author>Michèle R. Lavagna</author><author>Jacopo Prinetto</author><author>Alice Dottori</author><author>Albert Falke</author><author>Francisco da Silva Pais Cabral</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Comets are generally considered among the most pristine objects in our Solar System. There have thus been significant efforts to understand these bodies. During the past decades, we have seen significant progress in our theoretical understanding of planetesimal/cometesimals (the precursors of comets) formation. Recent space missions—such as ESA’s Rosetta mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko—have provided observations claimed by proponents of different comet formation theories to validate their scenarios. Yet, no single formation paradigm could be definitively proven. Given the importance of understanding how the first bodies in our Solar System formed, we propose a dedicated mission to address this issue. ORIGO will deliver a lander to the surface of a cometary nucleus where it will characterise the first five m of the subsurface. With remote sensing instruments and the deployment of payload into a borehole, we will be able to study the physico-chemical structure of ancient, unmodified material. The mission has been designed to fit into the ESA M-class mission budget.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1049262</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1049262</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Redefining low Earth orbit as a parking orbit for flexible and economical Earth departure in deep space missions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2022-12-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yuto Takei</author><author>Takanao Saiki</author><author>Yuichi Tsuda</author>
        <description><![CDATA[There are a number of deep space probes that are currently in operation with diverse destinations and objectives. For example, the Japanese Hayabusa2 and the U.S. OSIRIS-REx missions are both sample returns, targeting different near-Earth asteroids. Europe’s ExoMars and the U.S. Perseverance are orbiting and roving Mars as precursors of future manned explorations. Conventionally, deep space missions require dedicated launch vehicles for each mission. The interplanetary Earth departure trajectory from the low Earth orbit (LEO) usually lacks flexibility and efficiency. Furthermore, innovative and reusable launch systems have been researched and developed by multiple organizations including private sector organizations such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. It is expected that the unit cost per launch weight to LEO be significantly reduced by rideshare mass transportation executed by using reusable mega launchers in the near future. This study aims to fill the transportation gap between LEO and deep space by realizing a flexible and economical interplanetary Earth departure without sacrificing the arbitrariness of LEO, target V-infinity vector, and target Earth departure epoch. Thus, the one-revolution Earth free-return orbit (1rEFRO) and the consequent Earth gravity assist (EGA) are introduced to separate the velocity increment and direction adjustment. The planetary free-return and EGAs are common in interplanetary missions; however, a comprehensive study on the flexibility, economic efficiency, and arbitrariness of the sequence (1rEFRO + EGA) originating from LEO was not explicitly found. After describing the necessary coordinate frames, LEO’s orbital elements, 1rEFRO, and the terms ‘flexibility’ and ‘economic efficiency’ are defined in Section 2. Then in Section 3, the two-body-based preliminary orbit design method is proposed and formulated. Section 4 aims to reveal LEO’s comprehensiveness as efficient parking orbits when adopting the 1rEFRO + EGA sequence, using the newly proposed “ΣVEt LEO i-Ω diagram”. Section 5 describes a detailed orbit design constructed based on multi-body propagation and optimization to confirm the feasibility, flexibility, and economics of the solution and the usefulness of the initial solution given by the preliminary design method formulated in Section 3.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1017111</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1017111</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The probability analysis of ejecta particles damaging a spacecraft operating around asteroids after an artificial impact experiment: Hayabusa 2 ’s SCI operation safety study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2022-11-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Stefania Soldini</author><author>Takanao Saiki </author><author>Yuichi Tsuda </author>
        <description><![CDATA[On 5 April 2019, the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft performed the first successful artificial impact experiment on an asteroid. The Small Carry-on Impactor (SCI) device was deployed at an altitude of 500 m above Ryugu’s surface. The 2 kg copper projectile hit Ryugu’s surface in 40 min and caused the formation of an artificial crater 14.5 m in diameter. Once the SCI was deployed, the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft performed a two-week escape trajectory reaching altitudes as far as 120 km from Ryugu. The spacecraft then returned to its nominal position at 20 km altitude (Home-Position) from Ryugu for hovering control. This was done to prevent ejecta particles from seriously damaging the spacecraft and compromising its functionality. In this article, we present a method to forecast the daily probability of spacecraft damage along the selected nominal escape trajectory due to the debris cloud formed by an artificial impact. The result of the damage analysis confirmed that the selected escape trajectory experienced a small number of particle collisions under the design threshold, which would not have resulted in damage. Indeed, no damage was reported on the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft and it kept operating normally after the SCI operation. The method here presented serves as a guideline for post-impact mission operations to forecast and estimate the probability of damage to spacecraft or CubeSats operating near a small celestial body after an artificial impact experiment has occurred.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1023393</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.1023393</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Linking remote sensing, in situ and laboratory spectroscopy for a Ryugu analog meteorite sample]]></title>
        <pubdate>2022-10-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Alessandro Maturilli</author><author>Sabrina Schwinger</author><author>Enrica Bonato</author><author>Jörn Helbert</author><author>Mickael Baqué</author><author>Maximilian Hamm</author><author>Giulia Alemanno</author><author>Mario D’Amore</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In 2022 JAXA issued an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for receiving Hayabusa2 samples returned to Earth. We responded to the AO submitting a proposal based on using a multi-prong approach to achieve two main goals. The first goal is to address the subdued contrast of remote-sensing observations compared to measurements performed under laboratory conditions on analog materials. For this we will link the hyperspectral and imaging data collected from the spacecraft and the in-situ observations from the MASCOT lander instruments (MARA and MASCam) with laboratory-based measurements of Hayabusa2 samples using bi-directional reflectance spectroscopy under simulated asteroid surface conditions from UV to MIR/FIR achieved using three Bruker Vertex 80 V spectrometers in the Planetary Spectroscopy Laboratory. The second goal is the investigation of the mineralogy and organic matter of the samples collected by Hayabusa2, to better understanding the evolution of materials characterizing Ryugu and in general of protoplanetary disk and organic matter, investigating the aqueous alteration that took place in the parent body, and comparing the results with data collected from pristine carbonaceous chondrite analog meteorites. Spectral data will be complemented by Raman spectroscopy under simulated asteroid surface conditions, X-ray diffraction, would also allow us to define the bulk mineralogy of the samples as well as investigate the presence and nature of organic matter within the samples. In situ mineralogical and geochemical characterization will involve a pre-characterization of the sample fragments through scanning electron microscopy low voltage electron dispersive X-ray (EDX) maps, and micro IR analyses of the fragments. If allowed, a thin section of one grain will be used for electron microprobe analyses to geochemically characterize its mineralogical composition. To train our data collection and analysis methods on a realistic sample, we selected a piece of the Mukundpura meteorite, as one of the closer analogs to Ryugu’s surface (Ray et al., Planetary and Space Science, 2018, 151, 149–154). The Mukundpura chunk we selected for this study measures 3 mm in its maximum dimension, and we chose it so to have a test sample of the same size as the Hayabusa2 grain we requested in our proposal to JAXA’s AO. The test gave us confidence that we can measure with good SNR measurements in bi-directional reflectance for samples around 3 mm in size (see Figures 3, 4 below). To address our second goal the spectral data was complemented by Raman spectroscopy measured again under simulated asteroid surface conditions in our Raman Mineralogy and Biodetection Laboratory at DLR.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.982873</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.982873</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The wedge-pentahedra method (WPM): Topographic reduction of local terrain in the context of solar system surface gravimetry and robotic exploration]]></title>
        <pubdate>2022-09-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Matthias Noeker</author><author>Özgür Karatekin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In classical gravimetry, different corrections are applied, e.g. to correct for the measurement elevation above a reference plane and the gravitational attraction of the material lying between the measurement point and reference plane. Additionally, and especially in non-flat regions, a correction for the topography is generally needed. While this contribution is relatively small on spherical celestial objects, it can be more important for irregularly shaped bodies, such as small bodies or some natural satellites. With the surface gravity being much smaller, the relative importance of the topographic correction increases, while the approximation errors of the surface will become larger. In this work, the novel Wedge-Pentahedra Method (WPM) for topographic correction for (near-) surface gravimetric measurements and simulations is presented that allows precise topographic corrections for asteroids and natural satellites. For a first study, the WPM is applied to the Martian moon Phobos. Taking an exemplary surface location, a high-resolution artificial terrain is added to the surrounding, and the gravitational influence of this topography compared to the original surface is assessed. It is found that the influence of topography on the surface gravity of a small body such as Phobos can be in the order of a few percent, making it an important correction not only for surface gravity science, but likewise for landing and surface operations, to best ensure the mission success. Therefore, the here presented WPM opens a manifold of possible future applications in the context of Solar System exploration, regarding both space science and space technology.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.702614</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2022.702614</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Comparing Multi-Arm Robotics for In-Space Assembly]]></title>
        <pubdate>2022-04-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Katherine McBryan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Robotic In-space assembly (ISA) is the next step to building larger and more permanent structures in orbit. Determining the best robot for ISA is difficult as it will not only depend on the structure being assembled but on how it is assembled. This analysis shows how changing some key design parameters can influence different robotic systems for ISA. This study focuses on the construction of a 20 m linear truss structure but also expands to a 10 and 50 m truss. Two categories of robots are included in this study: a stationary robot and a mobile robot which crawls along the structure. Both the stationary and crawling robotic systems utilize two planar dexterous manipulators to assemble individual truss pieces into a linear truss. In the case of the stationary robotic system a single long positioning leg is used to move the two dexterous arms into position. The crawling robotic system uses two planar manipulators to crawl along the truss. A systems level analysis is presented which details how the forces from the robotic systems drive the mass of the truss and also how the size of the truss segments drive the requirements of the robotic system. This analysis shows how changing some key design parameters can influence each of the different robotic systems and the truss design itself. The estimated masses of the robotic systems and the truss and the assembly time are presented. There are trade-offs to every robot design and understanding those trade-offs is essential to building a system that is not only efficient but also cost-effective.]]></description>
      </item>
      </channel>
    </rss>