Session
Session IV: LEO Missions
Abstract
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is developing a system utilizing two 3U Cube Satellites to deliver diagnostic and basic repair services to on-orbit spacecraft. The Autonomous On-orbit Diagnostic System (AMODS) is comprised of 1) a CubeSat with robotic arms (RSat) with the ability to maneuver around a satellite providing images and other diagnostic information to ground-based engineers; and 2) the BRICSat spacecraft which acts as a “space tug” for RSat and houses the attitude control systems and maneuvering thrusters. Both RSat and BRICSat offer new technologies bringing tremendous flexibility and innovative opportunity to the CubeSat platform while providing cost- effective diagnostic services to on-orbit spacecraft. This paper focuses on the RSat platform, outlining the basic structure of the robotic arms and the concept of operations for the late 2017 launch of RSat-P (prototype) through the NASA Launch Initiative. The paper continues with a discussion of the results of ground tests validating the robotic arm mechanism and the RSat motors. The paper concludes with a description of the on-orbit test of the arms’ motors schedule for early 2017.
RSat Flight Qualification and Test Results for Manipulable Robotic Appendages Installed on 3U CubeSat Platform
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is developing a system utilizing two 3U Cube Satellites to deliver diagnostic and basic repair services to on-orbit spacecraft. The Autonomous On-orbit Diagnostic System (AMODS) is comprised of 1) a CubeSat with robotic arms (RSat) with the ability to maneuver around a satellite providing images and other diagnostic information to ground-based engineers; and 2) the BRICSat spacecraft which acts as a “space tug” for RSat and houses the attitude control systems and maneuvering thrusters. Both RSat and BRICSat offer new technologies bringing tremendous flexibility and innovative opportunity to the CubeSat platform while providing cost- effective diagnostic services to on-orbit spacecraft. This paper focuses on the RSat platform, outlining the basic structure of the robotic arms and the concept of operations for the late 2017 launch of RSat-P (prototype) through the NASA Launch Initiative. The paper continues with a discussion of the results of ground tests validating the robotic arm mechanism and the RSat motors. The paper concludes with a description of the on-orbit test of the arms’ motors schedule for early 2017.
