European Robotics under the spotlight (Forwarded)

European Space Agency
Press Release No. 11-2006
Paris, France 23 March 2006

European Robotics under the spotlight

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) will be delivered to Russia this
summer in preparation for a launch to the ISS in 2007. ESA and
Dutch Space have organised the European Robotics Media Day for
5 April to provide the media with the opportunity to become
acquainted with ERA and the engineers behind this ambitious
project.

After its launch in November 2007, the 11-metre long robotic
arm will perform a variety of tasks outside the ISS. With the
ability to move up to 8 tonnes of equipment, ERA will play a
key role in the continued construction of the ISS and will be
used to move experimental equipment to different external
locations. In addition, ERA will be used to move astronauts
and cosmonauts around during spacewalks and use its video
cameras to carry out inspections of external space station
surfaces. ERA therefore has an important role to play in the
maintenance and scientific utilisation of the ISS.

These uses of ERA highlight the impact that robotics has on
human spaceflight missions. Robotic equipment can be used to
undertake certain work in the harsh environment of space that
is not suitable or possible to be carried out by astronauts,
and also assists astronauts in a range of tasks to help reduce
the amount of time needed for spacewalk activities.

Along with the European Columbus laboratory and the Automated
Transfer Vehicle (ATV), ERA is one of ESA's main contributions
to the ISS. With its seven joints and an impressive concentration
of tools and electronics, the robotic arm has the flexibility
to move hand-over-hand between fixed base points around the
Russian segment of the International Space Station in order to
perform its tasks. This flexibility is added to by the fact
that ERA can be operated from inside or outside the ISS and
can be controlled either in real-time or pre-programmed.

The European Robotic Arm is a cooperative venture between ESA
and the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos. The European
Robotic Arm was built under an ESA contract by a consortium of
22 companies led by Dutch Space in the Netherlands.

Eurobotica

ERA is not the only European project in which robotics plays
a leading role. In addition to the development of general
robotics technology, ESA is currently developing the first
European robotic rover to land on the surface of Mars. Scheduled
for launch in 2011, this robotic rover forms a key element of
the ExoMars mission, the flagship mission for ESA's Aurora
Exploration Programme.

There are also plans for a new intelligent space assistant for
astronauts called Eurobot. With the help of a harness, called
the Exoskeleton, astronauts will be able to use virtual reality
to control Eurobot. These projects will also be highlighted
during the Media Day on 5 April, which will also include a visit
to the ExoMars and Eurobot test facilities at ESA's Technology
Centre, ESTEC.

Media representatives wishing to attend the event are requested
to fill in and return the attached form.

For further information, please contact:

Dieter Isakeit
Head, Erasmus User Centre and Communication Office
Directorate of Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration
Noordwijk (The Netherlands)
Tel: +31 71 565 5451
Fax: +31 71 565 8008

Philippe Schoonejans
Head of the ERA Project Office (ERA Project Manager)
Directorate of Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration
Noordwijk (The Netherlands)
Tel: +31 71 565 5026
Fax: +31 71 565 4437

Programme

European Robotics Media Day
Dutch Space
Newtonweg, 1
Leiden, the Netherlands

Wednesday 5 April 2006

09:30 Arrival at Dutch Space, Leiden, The Netherlands
10:00 The European Robotic Arm and the International Space
Station by Philippe Schoonejans (ESA)
10:20 The European Robotic Arm ERA. What it does and how by
Frank Meiboom (Dutch Space)
11:00 Coffee break
11:15 From ERA to Eurobot and Exploration Robots by Gianfranco
Visentin (ESA)
11:45 Visit of the ERA flight model at the Dutch Space facility
12:30 Lunch at Dutch Space
13:30 Transport to ESTEC (optional)
14:00 Visit to ESTEC (optional), comprising visits to the ERA
training facility, the planetary terrain test bed
(ExoMars), and the Eurobot telecontrol set-up

Related links

* Human Spaceflight and Exploration
http://www.esa.int/esaHS/index.html
* International Space Station
http://www.esa.int/esaHS/iss.html
* ERA - Dutch Space
http://www.dutchspace.nl/pages/busin...ent.asp?id=183
&LangType=1033
* ExoMars
http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEM1NVZKQAD_exploration_0.html

For the media

* Attendance form
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/Pr_11_2006_p_EN.html

IMAGE CAPTIONS:

[Image 1:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM838OVGJE_index_1.html]
European Robotic Arm (ERA) during flat floor testing at Dutch
Space facilities in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Credits: Dutch Space

[Image 2:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM838OVGJE...html#subhead1]
Detail of ERA's elbow joint

Credits: Dutch Space

[Image 3:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM838OVGJE...html#subhead2]
Robotics also plays a leading role in the development of the
ExoMars rover

The ExoMars rover will be ESA's field biologist on Mars. Its aim
is to further characterise the biological environment on Mars in
preparation for robotic missions and then human exploration.

This mission calls for the development of a Mars orbiter, a
descent module and a Mars rover. The Mars orbiter will have
to be capable of reaching Mars and putting itself into orbit
around the planet. On board will be a Mars rover within a
descent module.

The Mars descent module will deliver the rover to a specific
location by using an inflatable braking device or parachute
system.

Using conventional solar arrays to generate electricity, the
Rover will be able to travel a few kilometres over the rocky
orange-red surface of Mars. The vehicle will be capable of
operating autonomously by using onboard software and will
navigate by using optical sensors. Included in its approximately
40 kg exobiology payload will be a lightweight drilling system,
a sampling and handling device, and a set of scientific
instruments to search for signs of past or present life.

Credits: ESA