Robotic (Autonomous) Aerospace Vehicles

Module overview

This module will be first offered in the 2020/21 academic year. Robotics plays an important part in the development and operation of autonomous aerospace vehicles. The robotic element may consist of a complete vehicle either in outer space or on a planetary surface (e.g. a Martian rover) or a specific component (e.g. the ISS robotic arm). The module will examine design, construction and operation of such system. The students will gain an understanding of the challenges involved developing such a system, as well as operating at significant distances from the earth.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Lecture notes will be provided as will be specific academic papers that will form part of the directed reading. Use will be made of Matlab together with specific robotic toolboxes to simulate specific systems.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	36
Wider reading or practice	36
Preparation for scheduled sessions	18
Follow-up work	18
Revision	10
Completion of assessment task	104
Total study time	222

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

W.W. Mendell (2004). The roles of humans and robots in exploring the solar system. Acta Astronautica, 55(2).

da Fonseca, I. M. & Pontuschka, M. N. (2015). The State-of-the-art in Space Robotics. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 641.

Yoshida, Kazuya (2009). Achievements in space robotics. IEEE Robot. Automat. Mag., 16.4, pp. 20-28.

S. Ahsan Badruddin and S. M. Dildar Ali (2014). Recent Developments in the Optimization of Space Robotics for Perception in Planetary Exploration. Presented in the International Conference on Space.

Textbooks

Peter Corke. Robotics, Vision and Control Fundamental: Algorithms in MATLAB.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Continuous Assessment	25%
Final Assessment	75%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Module overview

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Syllabus