Robotic Interface Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Surface Operations

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for designing and organizing interfaces between robotic systems, crew operations, and cargo/payloads for use on the lunar or Martian surface. The best practices and lessons learned contained herein pulls from experiences in both terrestrial and low-earth orbit robotic operations. This document attempts to turn that cumulative experience across NASA’s expertise into a set of guiding principles to aid in establishing interoperable robotic systems, architectures, or interfaces for the lunar surface, and eventually Mars. Following these guidelines will help promote compatibility with the widest range of potential robots and robotic applications possible.