NASA is developing small walking robots that could be used to inspect and maintain future spacecraft. Such Spider Bots, shown by NASA's jet propulsion lab at the Space Pavilion, will be equipped with stereoscopic cameras that could orient the SpiderBot, locate and inspect objects, and control the manipulator arm to grasp, move and assemble objects. Such robots could be assigned to inspect systems on future spacecraft, replace damaged elements or perform maintenance work. Larger walking robots, including human-size "Robonauts," are designed to operate autonomously or under human supervision as part of the moon mission planned for 2008 and future explorations of Mars, Titan and other bodies planned for the next decade. Such robotic missions are planned to be conducted from a manned command module that can be relocated to various locations around the planet.
