In article <1142535068.199688.41990@v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com>, 
ianparker2@gmail.com says...

The issue of the space environment is an important one. True. There are
also issues of a purely AI nature. I have what could perhaps be
described as bees in my bonnet on this one.

I feel that in many ways robotics research has taken a wrong turn.
Robotics should be concerned about Engineering Physics, Geometry and
CAD/CAM and understanding these things in a generic way. Instead some
AI researchers have attempted to build into robots a quality of
"cuteness" rather than trying to get thenm to do useful things such as
assembling a CAD defined flatpack for example. Assembling an assembly

>from parts and sub assemblies is a critical step.

If a program developed this understanding the task of ruggedizing it
for aerospace, while not trivial, would at least be a finite task.

Balance, going up stairs bipedially, is a matter of transfer functions
and also geometry. Leaving space aside think of the gaing obtainable by
replacing wheelchairs with robotic limbs that would allow bipedal
movement on stairs and rough surfaces.

Considering the enormity of sending men to Mars, for example --- it
would be far easier to send a robotic device to Mars sooner, which would
do the same, as if you sent men to Mars --- carrying out the same
functions.
And the test bed for this technology - could be sent to the Moon, to trial
out all the equipment. I'm sure many people would be interested in controlling
a Moon rover and viewing the lunar landscape in depth.
It would of course put to rest all the conspiracy theories regarding NASA
and the moon having base for aliens/UFOs/etc - if people can view everything
there is to see on the moon. No doubt lunar samples returned to Earth,
to be examined by the best geologists/etc here should clear up where
exactly did the Moon come from? And whether it was part of Earth? at
any stage of it's early formation?
Mars rovers going all over Mars would put to rest stories about Martian
cities and artefacts such as the Giant Face on Mars ideas.
NASA could use the possibility of ancient Martian cities? to their advantage
to generate the funding interest for future Mars missions, but instead
chooses to ignore the huge public interest in such ideas.
They only perpetuate the mystery by choosing not to investigate it at all.
Surely it falls into the general question - Was there life, at all? on Mars???

Harvey