Columbus automation and robotics testbed: towards the autonomy of the Space Station

The need of automation and robotics (A&R) for in-orbit operations is continually increasing, not only for small satellites or unmanned laboratories, but also for those modules where constant human presence is foreseen, like the Space Station. However, even though its usefulness is recognized, A&R is still seen, especially among the scientists, as difficult to control and potentially able to damage the in-orbit facilities with the consequent loss of the experiment results. The European Space Agency (ESA) has now started the development of a Columbus Automation Testbed (CAT), in order to gain all the possible experience on A&R concepts and operations for the future European Space Infrastructure, having the following objectives: to demonstrate the benefits of servicing by the use of A&R, and to assess the feasibility of fully automated operations for the activities. A full simulation of a Columbus environment is foreseen within this testbed in order to give the final users a real tool to verify and develop their own systems and to define how they can be operated.<>