Space robotics — Present and past challenges

Space Robotics is a relatively new field of science and engineering that was developed as an answer to growing needs created by space exploration and space missions. New technologies had to be invented and designed in order to meet demands in extremely hostile environments. Those technologies have to work in a gravityless environment, rarefied atmosphere and often in high temperature. This paper recalls some of the major robotics missions in space and explains technologies related to them. Space robotic manipulators, especially flexible link and flexible joint robots are discussed. Autonomous robots for unmanned, long duration mission are presented.