The robotic arms are each about 2 meters long and will be put into service within the next three years. (Read also; US Space Force Launches Nuclear Detection and Laser Communications Satellite )
“The main feature of this arm is that it is underactuated, which means it has a single motor to run a cable system that sends torque to a number of connections, reducing system weight and cost,” said Maxar, quoted by SINDOnews from the spacenews page, Tuesday (21/12/2021).
Maxar already produces six robotic arms for NASA’s Mars rover and lander. It is currently building one for the Service, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) mission in NASA orbit and the Lunar Underactuated Robotic Arm (LUNA). This is a prototype to support the Operation Artemis program on the Moon. (Read also; Laser Weapon System Coming into Use 2022, 50 KW Powered Capable of Translucent Combat Drones )
For the DIU project, Maxar partnered with Altius Space Machines, a company owned by Voyager Space. Altius will provide a magnetic locking connector and a magnetic locking tool changer. Another partner in the project is SRI International which provides electro-adhesive for satellite capture and technical expertise in immobilized arm mechanisms.
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is an organization under the Department of Defense created to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology. Space is one area of DIU’s portfolio, including in-space transportation and robotic technology for servicing, assembly and manufacturing in orbit.
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