NASA´s automation and robotics technology development program

This paper provides an overview of NASA´s Automation and Robotics (A&R) technology development program, covering its objectives, development, assumptions, structure, content, plans, organization, and relation to other NASA A&R programs. This program is being carried out by the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST), which has the responsibility to provide the long range, high risk, high payoff technology to maintain the United States´ preeminence in Space, and to manage the Space Research and Technology program as a national resource to serve NASA, commercial and military needs. To do this, NASA promotes innovative technology options and insures timely technology readiness and transfer to user programs. One of these innovative technology options is Automation and Robotics.