From: henry@spsystems.net   
      
   In article ,   
   Greg  wrote:   
   >> Definitely not.  Some of the more ambitious designs have a goal of   
   >> equaling the capabilities of a spacesuited astronaut, but they're not   
   >> there yet.   
   >   
   >Underwater construction rovers on oil rigs and pipelines etc.. have   
   >largely replaced deep sea divers for most new construction work. Its   
   >not by very dexterous robots but by deliberately avoiding structures   
   >that need very dexterous robots, ie special nuts and bolts with large   
   >clearances and highly specialised manipulators.   
      
   The robotics people have been suggesting for a number of years now that   
   the spacecraft people do likewise.  So far, the spacecraft guys haven't   
   bought into it -- they have assessed the chances that their stuff will   
   ever be serviced by a robot as so slight that it's not worth the cost in   
   mass and design problems.  Given their historical preoccupation with   
   squeezing absolute maximum functionality out of absolute minimum mass,   
   selling this idea to them will be very difficult.  The more dextrous the   
   robots are -- and thus, the fewer the compromises needed to permit robotic   
   servicing -- the easier it will be.   
   --   
   MOST launched 30 June; science observations running     |   Henry Spencer   
   since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending.        | henry@spsystems.net   
      
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