Space bionanorobotic systems: design and applications

This paper describes novel concepts of space bionanorobotic systems that are based on revolutionary bio-nano-mechanisms formed by protein and DNA based nano-components. Nano-robots are controllable machines at the nano (10/sup -9/) meter or molecular scale that are composed of nanoscale components. With the modern scientific capabilities, it has become possible to attempt the creation of nanorobotic devices and interface them with the macro world. There are countless such machines that exist in nature and there is an opportunity to build more of them by mimicking nature. A roadmap towards the progression of this field is proposed and some design concept and philosophies are illustrated. Two macroscale devices with important space application that will be using bio-nano-component assemblies are proposed. These are the Networked TerraXplorer (NTXp) and The All Terrain Astronaut Bio-Nano Gears (ATB).