ATLAS- Advancing Technologies for Logistics Architectures in Space
Abstract
The main objective of this research effort, Advancing Technologies for Logistics Architectures in Space (ATLAS), is to conduct basic and applied research to provide new, revolutionary capabilities in the areas of Space Logistics and Mobility by innovating logistics modeling, space robotics, and spacecraft health management. This project will investigate three synergistic and complementary Research Thrusts (RTs)- (RT1) Network-Based Space Logistics Chain Modeling by integrating both vehicle routing and the full logistics supply chain of fuel-spares-tools-materials coupled with nontraditional orbital design; (RT2) Hybrid Soft-Rigid Robotics for Autonomous Space Services that combines the accuracy and speed of rigid arms with the adaptability and dexterity of soft arms for safe and robust servicing; and (RT3) Intelligent Health Monitoring and Remaining Life Assessment for Thrusters with artificial intelligence and new sensor techniques for accurate remaining lifetime assessment for chemical and electric propulsion thrusters. Advancing these technologies would be a game-changer in terms of space logistics capabilities- for example, the logistics chain model (enabled by RT1) can serve as a command and control decision support suite to optimally coordinate the full logistics chain in real-time and dispatch one or more servicers from strategically located depots with needed fuel-resources for servicing operations; the highdegree-of-freedom robotics technologies (enabled by RT2) ensures the robust and safe servicing operations for both known and unknown objects via novel hybrid soft-rigid manipulator(s); and the intelligent spacecraft health management technologies (enabled by RT3) accurately monitor the state of health of the spacecraft thrusters across multiple refueling-services and, when applicable, determine the next servicing demands for the logistics chain. At the end of the project, we will achieve a component-level demonstration of the proposed technologies. The demonstration and integration will be performed in a modular and flexible way in close collaboration with AFRL to maximize the potential for technology transfer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310723
Entities
People
- Koki Ho
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- United States Air Force