The aim of this Special Issue is devoted to new advances and/or pioneering studies on human-robot interaction and collaboration (HRI-C) for on-orbit servicing (OOS). OOS includes a series of key technologies that can improve space infrastructure and satellite performance and extend their lifespan, such as on-orbit inspection, repair, maintenance, refuel, and assembly. Currently, space robots are an indispensable part of OOS tasks, which can replace or assist astronauts to accomplish various intra/extra-vehicular activities. Developing space robot and HRI-C technologies is very promising in this field.

With new large space infrastructure projects further boosted (as an example, the Lunar Gateway), the function and performance requirements of space robots are highly demanded. On the one hand, space robots should have the autonomous ability to execute some basic operational tasks, such as capturing and transporting objects. Fundamental theories such as motion planning, high-precision motion control, and compliant operation are essential for ensuring the reliability and safety of OOS tasks. On the other hand, space robots are expected to cooperate with humans to finish complex tasks. This requires space robots to own HRI-C abilities—namely, proper understanding of humans’ intentions and collaborating with humans intelligently. Via the HRI technology, the operator on the ground or in the space station cabin can provide instructions to space robots and control them to execute tasks. With the development of information technologies, some human interaction methods, such as voice interaction, hand-gesture interaction, and body-gesture interaction, can create convenient and natural interaction ways between humans and space robots. Moreover, through the virtual reality or augmented reality (VR/AR) technology, the operator can achieve an immersive working experience to complete OOS tasks with space robots.

This Special Issue is to attract high-quality original research and review articles that report on fundamental and experimental aspects of space robotics, such as multibody dynamics, high-precision control, and new design of driven methods. Research dealing with HRI-C technologies, such as immersive telepresence, voice interaction, hand-gesture interaction, and body gesture interaction for OOS is encouraged. Review articles that describe the state of the art in topics related to certain aspects of HRI-C technologies for OOS are particularly welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Motion planning of space robots
• Multibody dynamics and control of space robots
• Compliant operation and control technologies
• Space soft/cable-driven manipulators
• Robotic vision technologies for OOS
• Space human-robot interface technologies
• Space teleoperation and telepresence technologies
• Voice-based HRI-C technologies
• Hand/body gesture-based HRI-C technologies
• Applications of VR/AR technologies in space HRI-C tasks