Dust Tolerant Joint for In-Space Assembly

Cornerstone Research Group (CRG) proposes the development of a dust tolerant joint to facilitate reliable payload reconfiguration and automated in-space construction in regolith inundated environments. CRG will demonstrate a lightweight, mechanically robust joint capable of securing structures while exposed to regolith particles of similar size to what are known in various space environments such as the lunar surface. This state-of-the-art dust tolerable joint leverages CRGrsquo;s shape memory polymer (SMP) reversible joining system, which facilitates self-alignment, low dexterity operation, capture and lock features, electrical isolation, and connectivity feedback if desired. Additionally, CRGrsquo;s dust tolerant reversible joint provides NASA with a scalable, modular joining capability that can be used with autonomous assembly systems. Leveraging CRGrsquo;s prior development work on shape memory polymer fastening systems and mechanical design expertise, the proposed Ramp;D herein will provide NASA with a multifunctional dust tolerable reversible joint with technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 at the conclusion of the Phase I effort.