Meet Fernando Zumbado, a NASA Robotic Systems Engineer who works with the Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle, or MMSEV. Zumbado explains how the robotic MMSEV vehicle is designed to adapt to its environment, capable of both in-flight missions and surface exploration of microgravity bodies.
Tag: Robotics
NASA Now: Scientific Method — Using Robots for Inquiry
Paulo Younse is a robotics engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory located in Pasadena, Calif. and is an expert on NASA’s newest Mars rover, Curiosity. In this NASA Now classroom video he talks about how each mission to Mars is determined by the information gained from previous missions. He explains how scientists and robots work together using the scientific method of research.
This video is available on the NES Virtual Campus beginning Apr. 11.
Preview of NASA Now: Using Robots for Inquiry
NASATalk NXT Tweetup
The NASATalk NXT Tweetup will provide a light introduction for those new to Twitter, while at the same time presenting several NXT robotics resources for use in classroom or informal education settings, on Monday-Friday, April 9-13, from 4-5 p.m. EDT.This event focuses on NXT robotics questions, answers and comments being addressed within the activities presented in the Group Activities on the NASATalk NXT Tweetup website.
The activities include:
• Circles, Ratios and Robot Navigation.
• Robot Virtual Worlds.
• Decibel Detection (Using Sound Sensor).
• Rocker Bogie Rover Wheel System.
• Gear Ratios Applied to Robots.
For more information, including a short file with Twitter instructions, see https://www.nasatalk.com/collaboratives/robotics/nasatalk-nxt-tweetup.html.
If you’re on Twitter, follow @NXTtweetup. One tweet will be added every 15 minutes during the event.
Direct your NASATalk NXT Robotics Tweetup questions to the following:
• Meri Cummingsabout appropriate activities and the Tweetup schedule.
• Kendyl Morrisabout creating a Twitter account and tweeting.
• Chris Ruckmanabout using NASATalk.
Link to the NES Virtual Campus home page.
Live Video Chat: One Giant Charge for a Robot
Sandeep Yayathi works on Robonaut, a dexterous humanoid robot built and designed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. On April 4, 2012, from noon – 1 p.m. EDT, Yayathi will answer student questions about his work with Robonaut, his career path and what the future holds for robotics. Robonaut 2, or R2, launched to the International Space Station on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission. It is the first dexterous humanoid robot in space and the first U.S.-built robot at the space station.
Yayathi is developing a new power system including a battery backpack to allow Robonaut 2 to move about freely without having to be plugged into the space station’s power grid. Eventually, the new power system will allow an upgraded version of the robot to work outside the station.
Submit questions during the chat through a chat window, or email them to NASA-Explorer-Schools@mail.nasa.gov.
For more information and to view the video chat, visit https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/nes2/home/robonaut-chat.html.
Robonaut 2 Joins ISS Crew
Almost 200 people from 15 countries have visited the International Space Station, but the orbiting complex has so far only ever had human crew members – until now. Robonaut 2, the latest generation of the Robonaut astronaut helpers, launched to the space station aboard space shuttle Discovery on the STS-133 mission. It is the first humanoid robot in space, and although its primary job for now is teaching engineers how dexterous robots behave in space, the hope is that through upgrades and advancements, it could one day venture outside the station to help spacewalkers make repairs or additions to the station or perform scientific work.
Now that R2 is unpacked it will initially be operated inside the Destiny laboratory for operational testing, but over time both its territory and its applications could expand. There are no plans to return R2 to Earth.
Link to the NES Virtual Campus home page.
Flight Engineers Cady Coleman and Paolo Nespoli unpack the newest member of the Expedition 27 crew, Robonaut 2
the first humanoid robot in space. R2 was delivered to the International Space Station by space shuttle Discovery on STS-133.
Robotics Contest: Watch, Cheer and Send Questions
In a challenge simulating planetary exploration, tabletop-size robots must perform different tasks within two minutes. The tasks include placing sensors in volcanoes, deploying habitats and rescuing a stranded “moon buggy,” or small robot. This robotic competition aims to excite and engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Sixteen student teams from nine elementary, middle and high schools will put their software-enabled, battery-powered LEGO robots against the clock in the 5th Annual Southern California Robotics Competition at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Involve your students in the competition by watching the broadcast live on the Web from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. PDT. You are invited to send in advance your students’ questions about careers in robotics to jplspaceeducation@gmail.com. During the career talk portion of the live program, NASA/JPL robotics engineer Paulo Younse will answer some pre-submitted questions. All questions must be received by Friday, March 11. Questions should be along the lines of “careers in robotics.” Please include either the student’s first name only or school name.
For details and information visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/index.cfm?page=261
Link to the NES Virtual Campus home page.