SBIR Phase I: On-Orbit Servicing Systems

这项小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响将是开发一种用于航天器在轨服务的新型机电系统，以便航天器可以捕获和停靠。和加油。这一系统将延长航天器的使用寿命，使失败的任务能够得到拯救，为商业和公共实体都节省了费用。商业项目的任务寿命延长预期会降低提供资料和服务的费用；同样，延长政府资助的任务将降低与卫星发射相关的成本。拟议中的项目将为拼车系统中使用的航天器创建一个捕获和加油系统。捕获系统要求包括：与接近和制导传感器的兼容性；低功耗操作;自主对齐。对接和加油要求包括：形成一个刚性的、防泄漏的、输送燃料的结构连接；以及一种在没有二次驱动系统的情况下打开客户航天器燃料口的机制。最后，为了与拼车兼容，机器人手臂必须在尺寸、重量和功率方面进行优化；它必须有末端执行器和工具交换机构。所有子系统必须与空间的极端环境条件完全兼容。建议的工作将处理开发需求和规格的系统工程过程；概念设计开发；详细设计、分析和建模；还有面包板测试。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project would be to develop a novel electromechanical system for on-orbit servicing of spacecraft so that a spacecraft can be captured, dock. and refuel. This system will extend the useful life of spacecraft and enable the rescue of failed missions, representing savings to commercial and public entities alike. Mission life extensions of commercial projects are expected to translate into reduced costs of delivering information and services; similarly, extensions of government-sponsored missions will enable lowered costs associated with satellite launches. The proposed project will create a capture and refueling system for spacecraft to be used in ride-share systems. Capturing system requirements include: compatibility with proximity and guidance sensors; low-power operation; and autonomous alignment. Docking and refueling requirements include: formation of a rigid, leak-proof, structural connection to deliver fuel; and a mechanism to open the fuel port on the client spacecraft without secondary actuation systems. Finally, for ride-share compatibility, the robot arm must be optimized for size, weight, and power; and it must have end-effectors and a tool exchange mechanism. All subsystems must be fully compatible with the extreme environmental conditions of space. The proposed effort will address the systems engineering process of developing requirements and specifications; conceptual design development; detailed design, analysis and modeling; and breadboard testing.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.