The Australian Space Agency’s Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space Roadmap outlined a 10-year plan to support growth of robotics and automation capabilities on Earth and in space. This plan was published before May 2022 under the previous Australian Government.

Overview

Australia’s remote operation capabilities have huge potential for the future of space exploration. The Robotics Roadmap described a pathway to:

  • leverage Australia’s expertise in robotics technology and systems
  • provide critical solutions into the global marketplace that enable and support the sustained build-up of space assets and infrastructure
  • enable international collaboration with industry. 

Publication content 

The following 6 focus segments prioritised in the Robotics Roadmap, were considered the areas of greatest opportunity for the Australian space sector:

  1. Remote operations
  2. Interoperability
  3. Analogue facilities and services
  4. Robotic platforms
  5. In-Situ Resource utilisation
  6. Foundation services.

Foundation Services 

Foundation Services are operational services that support exploration missions to build towards (and eventually maintain) a sustained off-Earth presence. They are services for which demand is recurrent, continuous or enduring. The scope of Foundation Services covers monitoring and inspection, planning and logistics, civil construction, materials transport and cargo handling, remote maintenance, salvage, and component manufacture and assembly. They are distinctive but complementary to mission critical systems such as power, communications and life support.

Foundation Services fulfil a set of core supportive processes and systems that are necessary in planning, establishing and sustaining planetary activity. These services provide core functions that are required during every stage of off-Earth infrastructure build-up. Australia can use its capabilities to realise a long-term flagship role in Foundation Services.

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