Introduction 5
subsequent book chapter to help guide readers to navigate through the book in the
most e�cient way.
1.3.
1 Part I: mobility and mechanisms
In the �rst part of the book, three chapters are presented to include the latest reviews,
R & D work, and �ndings in relation to space robotic mobility and mechanism
designs. These works also relate to a wide range of space applications covering both
planetary and orbital environments, as well as for human space�ight.
Chapter 2
1
entitled “Wheeled planetary rover locomotion design, scaling and
analysis” o�ers an introduction to the novel granular scaling laws (GSL) for wheeled
planetary rover design. This recently developed approach examines how to predict
the performance of larger, more massive vehicles from the study of smaller vehicles.
We evaluate how material properties, wheel shape, wheel position, sinkage, angular
velocity, and preparation of granular media in�uence these predictive laws through
experimental case studies. We conclude by using coupled multibody dynamics and
discrete element method (MBD- DEM) simulations to examine gravity variant GSL
for predicting the performance of a craft at reduced gravity.
Chapter 3
2
entitled “Compliant pneumatic muscle structures and systems for
extra- vehicular and intra- vehicular activities in space environments” o�ers detailed
discussions on how the current robotic mobility used in space environments for intra-
and extra- vehicular activities can be improved to rely on more convenient structures
that o�er equivalent or better services. These improved structures involve one of the
popular branches of soft robotics, namely pneumatic muscle actuators (PMAs). The
robotic mobility systems based on PMAs have provided promising results that can
potentially replace their rigid robotic counterparts. Especially it is recognized that
PMAs have a higher power to weight ratio, have inherently soft properties useful
for safety when interacting with humans, are compliant to colliding with objects of
di�erent shapes, are less costly in materials used to make them, and are �exible to
perform motions that might be a challenge with rigid systems. The chapter presents
and discusses the PMA designs on multi- �ngered grippers using the self- bending
contraction actuator (SBCA) and ring- shaped circular gripper that uses a circular
pneumatic muscle actuator (CPMA). An extensor bending PMA (EBPMA) is used
to design a power assistive glove that can be implemented for spacesuit gloves.
Chapter 4
3
entitled “Biologically- inspired mechanisms for space applications”
highlights the implementation of the �eld of biomimetics in the development of mecha-
nisms and mobility systems for a wide variety of space applications. This chapter col-
lates as many of these concepts as possible into a single review study, detailing their
journeys from the initial biological inspiration to the latest design and development
1
Corresponding author: Hamid Marvi, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona
State University, 501 E. Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA. Email:
[email protected].
2
Corresponding author: Haitham El- Hussieny, School of Science, Engineering & Environment, The
University of Salford, Salford, M54WT, UK. Email:
[email protected].
3
Corresponding author: Craig Pitcher, STAR LAB, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, Guild-
ford, GU2 7XH, UK. Email:
[email protected].