Astrobotics: Swarm Robotics for Astrophysical Studies

TL;DR

This paper introduces astrobotics, a new robotics field using dense formations of specialized robots with optical fibers for astrophysical applications like dark matter mapping and space debris tracking.

Contribution

It defines the concept of astrobots, discusses their unique coordination challenges, and explores their potential for large-scale astrophysical and space applications.

Findings

Proposes collision-free coordination algorithms for dense astrobot formations.

Highlights the importance of assignment strategies on observational quality.

Discusses future large-scale projects with up to 20,000 astrobots.

Abstract

This paper introduces the emerging field of astrobotics, that is, a recently-established branch of robotics to be of service to astrophysics and observational astronomy. We first describe a modern requirement of dark matter studies, i.e., the generation of the map of the observable universe, using astrobots. Astrobots differ from conventional two-degree-of-freedom robotic manipulators in two respects. First, the dense formation of astrobots give rise to the extremely overlapping dynamics of neighboring astrobots which make them severely subject to collisions. Second, the structure of astrobots and their mechanical specifications are specialized due to the embedded optical fibers passed through them. We focus on the coordination problem of astrobots whose solutions shall be collision-free, fast execution, and complete in terms of the astrobots' convergence rates. We also illustrate the significant impact of astrobots assignments to observational targets on the quality of coordination solutions To present the current state of the field, we elaborate the open problems including next-generation astrophysical projects including 20,000 astrobots, and other fields, such as space debris tracking, in which astrobots may be potentially used