ADCS Testbed
Tensor Tech
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Astrobee is a free-flying robotic system developed by NASA for use inside the International Space Station (ISS). It utilizes an electric, fan-based propulsion system with cameras and sensors that enable the robot’s autonomous flight. Astrobee is designed to support research in a multitude of areas, including AI-based motion control, robotic manipulation, swarm/formation flight, and more.
Arkisys is the official Implementation Partner (IP) for the sustaining operation of Astrobee. The services Arkisys provides includes full onboarding into the official NASA integrated payload experiment list, pre-flight planning and safety reviews, mission verification in NASA systems, full ground testing on Astrobee units on air bearing floor, early and final integration and test (for hardware), access to additional Astrobee payloads onboard, and then flight time and crew support (as required and available) for a customers experiment.
There are three basic Tiered levels of services depending upon the customers needs:
Tier 1 Software Only:
This allows a user to upload their software to validate various aspect of RPO, swarm operations, image and sensor recognition etc using Astrobee. The user can directly control the Astrobee using open or closed loop GNC, or specify destination coordinates for Astrobee to handle the navigation.
Tier 2 Software plus Onboard Hardware:
Arkisys provides access to additional Astrobee capable plug-and-play modules aboard ISS that include high performance camera and processing payload, genderless docking system and embedded RPO sensors, and an RFID tracking system. Users can interface with this hardware to enhance mission capabilities.
Tier 3 New Hardware Hosting:
In addition to software support, this allows a user to design, develop and deliver new hardware to be hosted on Astrobee inside the ISS. This requires additional work and cost to get the mass associated with the a new payload through the NASA process and manifested for launch.
Additional service options available:
- More Flight Time. Nominal is 9 total hours of 3 flights at 3 hours each.
- More Crew time. Nominal is 1 hour per 3 hours of flight time.
- Additional Ground Test on Air Bearing Table. Nominal is 8 hours for each primary experiment.
- Additional Engineering and Integration Support to payload operations
ISS decommissioning expected in
NOT ENDORSED BY NASA
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Location for Flight Ops | International Space Station (ISS) |
| Service Location for Ground Testing | Los Angeles, CA |