Front-end Robotics Enabling Near-term Demonstration (FREND)
Abstract
(U) The goal of the Front-end Robotics Enabling Near-term Demonstration (FREND) program is to develop, demonstrate, and fly robotic manipulator technologies designed to allow interaction with geosynchronous orbit (GEO)-based military and commercial spacecraft, extending their service lives and permitting satellite repositioning or retirement. Existing GEO spacecraft are outfitted with sufficient propellant to provide for needed station keeping, repositioning, and retirement maneuvers, which in many cases defines their useful mission durations. Once this propellant is expended, the vehicle is retired and, in many cases, replaced. FREND technologies can enable significant service extension to these spacecraft through re-boosting near end-of-life. (U) Recent events have significantly increased the number of objects/debris in low earth orbit (LEO), particularly in orbital planes of most interest to DoD users, causing an increased threat to safe space operations. FREND combines detailed photogrammetric and laser imaging with robotic multi-degree-of-freedom manipulators to autonomously grapple space objects not outfitted with custom interfaces. A FREND-based servicing spacecraft offers the potential for spacecraft salvage, repair, rescue, reposition, de-orbit and retirement, and debris removal. The program will examine possible solutions for all classes of LEO debris to determine the most economical technical solution set to mitigating the problem. In addition, FREND will investigate neurorobotics as a potential replacement for the baseline suite of algorithms (e.g., arm trajectory planning, vehicle pose estimation, grapple feature identification, or compliance control) required to dock multiple robotic arms with a client spacecraft. The anticipated transition partner is the Air Force. (U) The Catcher’s Mitt program is an extension of work performed under the FREND program and will address the increasing on-orbit debris collision problem faced by all U.S. space assets. Recent events have caused a dramatic increase in orbital debris. These events are part of a continuing trend that raises the probability of debris strikes with valuable U.S. space assets, possibly causing critical failures. Catcher’s Mitt seeks to reduce the risk of catastrophic collision for on-orbit U.S. space assets, develop new methods for rapidly clearing important orbits after an event generates a large debris field, and develop a new method for long term clearing of debris in the most cost-effective manner. The Catcher’s Mitt program will identify critical operational areas at risk as well as new solution concepts to address those risks. Solutions may include development of technologies enabling improved debris detection and tracking, improved collision prediction techniques, improved spacecraft and rocket body de-orbit/retirement capabilities, urgent response orbit clearing, long term orbit clearing, and other novel orbital debris mitigation solutions. The program will culminate in an on-orbit demonstration of selected orbital debris remediation technologies. The anticipated transition partner is the Air Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- d58226fa129a6f5404be4d36758b9235