  This paper introduces the emerging field of astrobotics, that is, a
recently-established branch of robotics to be of service to astrophysics and
observational astronomy. We first describe a modern requirement of dark matter
studies, i.e., the generation of the map of the observable universe, using
astrobots. Astrobots differ from conventional two-degree-of-freedom robotic
manipulators in two respects. First, the dense formation of astrobots give rise
to the extremely overlapping dynamics of neighboring astrobots which make them
severely subject to collisions. Second, the structure of astrobots and their
mechanical specifications are specialized due to the embedded optical fibers
passed through them. We focus on the coordination problem of astrobots whose
solutions shall be collision-free, fast execution, and complete in terms of the
astrobots' convergence rates. We also illustrate the significant impact of
astrobots assignments to observational targets on the quality of coordination
solutions To present the current state of the field, we elaborate the open
problems including next-generation astrophysical projects including 20,000
astrobots, and other fields, such as space debris tracking, in which astrobots
may be potentially used
