(October 28, 2015) The
international UNISONO project, which is coordinated by VTT Technical Research
Centre of Finland, has developed a communication solution that can allow
orbiting space station in outer space to maintain uninterrupted contact with
robots working on the surface of a planet.
The technology also has potential industrial applications, such as to
reduce lags and jitters in mobile gaming.
The technology developed in the course of the UNISONO
project is an important step forward for initiatives such as the human mission
to Mars. Before humans can land on Mars, the planet needs infrastructure, such
as housing and laboratories, which need to be built by robots. These robots
need to be controlled by astronauts from a space station orbiting the planet.
Astronauts can currently practice to control the robots on
Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is in constant orbit
around Earth, which means that the astronauts frequently lose direct contact
with the robot. This results in discontinuity in the data and video
transmission, stopping astronauts to maintain the control of the robot.
"Losing control of the robot during a critical task can
cause damage to the task or the robot itself. The UNISONO project has developed
a solution which can keep the astronaut in constant contact with the robot
during entire orbit", explains Dr Ali Muhammad, Principal Investigator in
Robotics Systems at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
The time window for ISS to be in direct contact with a robot
on Earth is much shorter than what is planned for an orbiter around the Mars.
The UNISONO project has shown that how this time window available to the
astronaut can be widen by seamlessly switching between relaying stations on the
ground. This allows astronauts to realistically simulate the future robotic
missions on Mars, moon or other heavenly bodies.
At this stage, the project has demonstrated a seamless
switching concept which can be further developed to become reality for future
human missions to Mars.