robotics Archives - The Enterprise Orbit

Cubesat-sized AMODS robot will launch in December

This small dexterous spacecraft can crawl around a malfunctioning satellite and help determine what went wrong. The cubesat spacecraft, called AMODS (autonomous mobile on-orbit diagnostic system), was developed by a group of US Navy researchers, led by ensign Ned Hanlon. The RSat robot is scheduled to launch this December for a technology demonstration. AMODS is designed to help identify and diagnose unexpected issues that arise after an asset has reached

A glimpse of the future of robotics-driven on-orbit services

A series of technological developments over the past few years is bringing the decade-long dream of refueling, salvaging and repairing satellites in orbit to fruition. A February 2018 report from Northern Sky Research predicts on-orbit satellite servicing will become a $3 billion market in the next decade – but no satellite operators have yet used such services for life extension or salvage operations. 2018 has proved to be a pivotal year