Autonomy as an enabler for the Next Generation of Space Robotics Exploration Missions

Towards the quest for life in other planets, autonomy is a profound enabler for exploration missions in other planetary systems, asteroids and extreme subterranean void environments, such as lunar caves. To this end, this presentation will highlight our key results from our participation in the DARPA SubT challenge and our collaboration with the JPL/NASA, aiming in developing full autonomous systems for exploring SubT environments. We will also present autonomy examples for empowering the next generation of fully autonomous robotic operations for enabling extreme and long-range terrain traversability, as well as hybrid solutions for 3D exploration and scouting missions, while optimizing autonomous coverage in search of space resources. The presentation will also cover real life examples from earthbased missions equivalent to lava tubes, caving and skylight environments, as well as landmark based terrain navigation and autonomy is satellite constellations.