ROOM
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Astronautics
human lifetime, gathering data well beyond human
sensing capabilities, computing faster and more
precisely than the brain, and ruling operations
with a far greater precision.
Several high-profile space projects have made
headlines in the last years. Behind the scenes, and
essential to the success of any of these endeavours,
is the meaningful integration of technical and non-
technical aspects in design and operation.
Humans should always be at the centre of
any future advanced systems designed for
space exploration, managing the system and
increasing its resilience, such as developing an
industrial technology base for the automation and
remote control of space based operations using
Automated-Human-Robot-System.
Indeed, humans should always be allowed to
decide and act when faced with the unplanned,
the unknown, the risks and the contingencies,
and to evaluate the mission results achieved.
Humans should be considered the strongest link
and systems should be designed around them for
future scenarios.
The challenge of integrating automation and
the human element is not limited to the arena
of Space. Other domains - aviation, the nuclear
industry and maritime search and rescue - share
similar challenges and opportunities in respect
of the human element; how to implement it in
training initiatives, how to engineer the human
element and how to regulate it in design aspects.
The involvement of industry will be increasingly
more important as humans learn to work in
tandem with robots.
Author credits
Thanks for contributions on the article to R. Peldszus, formerly Internal
Research Fellow at ESA-ESOC, Special Studies & Projects, L. Bianchi,
Head of Dependability and Safety Assurance Section at ESA-ESTEC and
M. Gabel, Training and Simluations Coordinator at ESA-ESOC.
Accelerating pace
In today’s world, automation is usually
implemented to achieve lower costs and a
reduction of human error. But automation may
have its downsides too.
Where control centre operators are in the role
of supervisor, automation will be an increasingly
important factor. Systems operators and system
developers will need to work together from the
start, right across the life cycle of the system.
This process will actually move the risk of human
error from ‘operation’ to ‘design’ within the
life cycle. Automated control centres will also
require operators to have more training and more
knowledge management.
The evolution of automation and the pace of its
introduction into everyday life is astonishing. The
use of an autopilot on airplanes has been the norm
and not the exception for many years. Automatic
rail systems are already a reality in many cities and
within a decade we may not need to ‘drive’ a car
any more, beyond indicating the destination.
In this context, the push to increase automation
in space exploration is understandable but
we need to understand our motivation before
embarking on wholesale robotic innovation. Is
replacing all human positions in systems with
automated functions in order to remove the
human error liability possible or desirable?
And although replacing astronauts with robots
might reduce the inconvenience and costs of the
necessary life sustainment functions required in
manned spacecraft, would that actually further the
progress and quality of space exploration?
Augmenting performance
In Earth observation most processes for
establishing and maintaining contact between
the ground station and spacecraft e.g. to
uplink commands or downlink telemetry,
are now automated through schedules and
configuration scripts. There are less routine
activities to be performed by the ground station
controllers, allowing them to concentrate on
more critical activities.
Robotic automation is not just about
the potential to replace human roles and
functions; it also has great potential to
augment human performance.
Automated functions implementation, robots,
drones etc. should be seen as extensions of human
capabilities allowing us to go further in exploring
deep space and planets where environmental
conditions are prohibitive for human life,
attempting missions that could last longer than a
Robotic
automation is
not just about
the potential
to replace
human roles
and functions
- it also has
great potential
to augment
human
performance
ESA’s Rosetta showing
the deployment of the
Philae lander to comet
67P/Churyumov–
Gerasimenko.
