The Center for Space Automation Technologies & Systems (CSATS) invests it major efforts to the research and development of robotic technologies, autonomous systems, and highly automated research facilities for the scientific exploration of space.

At present, CSATS has been undertaking a series of research and development projects sponsored by the National Science and Technology Major Project, including China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), China Manned Space Engineering (CMSE), Nano/Micro-Satellites Applications, High-End Advanced Manufacturing Systems, etc. CSATS has also been involved in numerous projects supported by the National High-tech R&D Program of China (namely, the 863 Program) and China National Science Foundation. CSATS’s main expertise lies in space robotics, man-machine interactions, control systems, intelligent system diagnosis and health management, miniaturized and dexterous mechanism, remote sensing technologies and platforms，space structure analysis and verifications, space systems qualification tests, robotic-assisted friction stir welding, etc.

Main research areas:

• Science experiment platforms for Chinese Space Station
• Solar panels and other deployable mechanisms of experiment satellites
• In-orbit robotic servicing technologies and systems
• Autonomous scientific payloads for moon and deep space exploration
• Robotic-assisted friction stir welding systems for large shell and complex geometry structures
• Intelligent vibration suppression and dynamics control technologies