Case Study: NASA achieves reliable human-to-robot communication in space with RTI Connext DDS

Robust Connectivity Software Supports Human-TOROBOT Communication Between Land and Space

NASA’s Human Exploration Telerobotics (HET) team needed a reliable, standards-based communications infrastructure to support remote control of robots between the International Space Station, Earth, and eventually other planetary environments. The challenge was dealing with time delays, intermittent connectivity, packet loss, and the need for a common architecture across different robots and operating systems. RTI Connext DDS was used to help meet these advanced connectivity requirements.

RTI implemented Connext DDS as robotic middleware to provide flexible, interoperable, and durable data communications for NASA’s telerobotics projects. The solution helped NASA tolerate delayed and lossy space communications while enabling astronauts and ground controllers to operate robotic arms and rovers remotely. As a result, NASA gained a loosely coupled integration approach that reduced long-term software maintenance effort and costs, while improving mission safety, success, and scientific return on investment.

NASA