Robot login space is just around the corner!
The US Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced that they will send robots into space to repair and maintain satellites within a few years.
DARPA recently launched a "Joint Implementation and Service Action Alliance." DARPA hopes all major industry players, including geostationary satellite operators and companies providing on-orbit robot services, will join the alliance.
DARPA first proposed the use of on-orbit robots for space satellite maintenance. It recently invested millions of dollars in a partnership with satellite manufacturer Loral, a satellite 36,000 kilometers above the Earth. Provide services.
Scientists said that the main obstacle facing this project is the lack of clear and widely accepted rules and safety standards.
At present, the U.S. government has established several types of regulatory agencies for space activities. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration administers satellite launches, the Federal Communications Commission oversees satellite communications, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oversees Earth imaging. However, there is still no corresponding regulatory agency for space robots to be on track.
Therefore, the primary task of DARPA at present is to formulate rules for the supervision of space robots, so that investors, insurance companies and customers can rest assured.
However, the process of setting the rules is not going smoothly because OrbitalATK proposed that DARPA violated the national space policy and stated that the government should not invest in on-orbit robots competing with commercial products.
OrbitalATK has invested in on-orbit robot technology and set out to build an on-orbit robot. In September of this year, OrbitalATK announced that they have made significant progress in the development of on-orbit robots. Its newly developed on-orbit robots are called Mission Extended Vehicles (MEV).
MVE is currently in production and about 75% of its components have been manufactured in Dulles, Virginia. The on-board robot will begin testing in the spring of 2018 and plan to launch it later next year.
OrbitalATK said that the mission of the robot is to provide satellite repair, assembly, refueling and space transportation services. However, the District Court of Eastern District of Virginia dismissed Orbital ATK’s lawsuit.
DARPA said: "We are satisfied with the judge's decision and look forward to continuing to work with Lora to realize the ambitious goal of orbiting robots for satellite services."
In addition to American companies, Airbus also contacted DARPA and expressed its desire to join the alliance.
DARPA envisages that on-orbit robots can not only repair damaged satellite components, but also insert new electronic devices for satellites to enhance the capabilities of spacecraft.
In-orbit robots using robotic arms will be similar to those used to build the International Space Station, but their autonomy and safety will be higher.
DARPA said that if there are orbiting robots for satellite maintenance in the future, then the annual satellite launch cost will be greatly reduced. Because this can extend the life of the satellite, reduce the purchase and launch of new satellites.
At present, the alliance is actively preparing to prepare for the proliferation of satellites in the coming decades. There are now about 1,500 satellites in orbit and thousands of satellites will be launched in the next few years.
DARPA plans to start from now on drafting rules and standards for the supervision of on-running robots in a year's time.
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