On-Orbit Small Spacecraft Servicing System

The use of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) is increasing every year. The expected lifetime of these platforms is smaller than many of their larger kin. Many efforts are underway to enable satellite-servicing missions to autonomously repair, recover, or extend the utility of large satellites. Due to the increase of the small satellite platform, forward thinkers at DARPA, NASA, and the USAF have identified the need for such repair vehicles at the small satellite level. This proposes a unique challenge for the development of miniature servicing arms, end-effectors, and docking and servicing fixtures to meet the challenge of on-orbit servicing (OOS) of small satellites. Lynntech proposes to develop a robotic arm and end-effector capable of creating a standardized means for which these satellites can be serviced via a similar sized craft. In the Phase I effort, Lynntech will design and model the operation of a mechanical arm and multi-capable end-effector for OOS operations that will address many of the primary problems, thus enabling increase longevity and utility of the small satellite platform. The Phase I goal is to show feasibility of the design and operation for further development and prototyping.