GITAI's robotic system triumphs in ISS demo

Written by Copernical Team Wednesday, 20 March 2024 17:28

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 20, 2024

GITAI USA Inc. reports the completion of its technological demonstration, which involved a 1.5-meter-long autonomous dual robotic arm system (S2) performing tasks outside the International Space Station (ISS). This demonstration represents a critical advancement in on-orbit satellite servicing, demonstrating capabilities critical for satellite maintenance, repair, and assembly in space. Th

GITAI's robotic system triumphs in ISS demo
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 20, 2024

GITAI USA Inc. reports the completion of its technological demonstration, which involved a 1.5-meter-long autonomous dual robotic arm system (S2) performing tasks outside the International Space Station (ISS). This demonstration represents a critical advancement in on-orbit satellite servicing, demonstrating capabilities critical for satellite maintenance, repair, and assembly in space.

This achievement is part of GITAI's broader initiative to provide on-orbit satellite servicing across both Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO), encompassing a wide range of operations including rendezvous, docking, inspection, de-orbiting, and life extension services. GITAI is actively developing robotic satellites designed to autonomously execute these operations, with the goal of launching on-orbit servicing solutions by 2026.

The recent demonstration at the ISS involved the S2 system performing a series of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) tasks from the ISS Bishop Airlock. The successful completion of these tasks highlights the system's operational efficacy and reliability in the space environment. Although the primary objectives of the demonstration have been achieved, GITAI plans to conduct additional reliability tests over the next five months to further validate the system's performance.

The demonstration's success has resulted in the S2 system achieving NASA's Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, indicating its operational readiness in space. This milestone is important, as it demonstrates the potential of GITAI's technology for practical applications in space operations. The technology developed for the S2 system also informs the design of GITAI's inchworm-type robotic arm, which shares many components with the S2 and has similarly achieved a high level of technological readiness.

With this successful demonstration, GITAI is poised to advance the development of its robotic satellites, reinforcing its commitment to innovating in the field of on-orbit satellite servicing. This development represents a significant step forward in the utilization of autonomous robotic systems for complex operations in space, offering potential for enhanced efficiency and capabilities in satellite servicing and beyond.