On-orbit assembly missions typically involve humans-in-the-loop and use large custom-built robotic arms designed to service existing modules. A proposed concept of on-orbit robotic assembly of modularized CubeSat components within a spacecraft locker eliminates the need for humans-in-the loop. The spacecraft locker supports use cases such as rapidly placing failed nodes within a constellation of satellites and providing sensing and propulsion capabilities in Low Earth Orbit. Despite the recent proliferation of small satellites, there are few planned demonstrations of on-orbit assembly and few demonstrations of on-orbit servicing. Key gaps challenges of in-space assembly of small satellites are (1) the lack of standardization of electromechanical CubeSat components for compatibility with commercial robotic assembly hardware, and (2) testing and modifying commercial robotic assembly hardware. In this work, we focus on testing and modifying: we develop an optimization process for a robotic assembly model to integrate small satellites in space. Our process focus is on the optimization of the on-orbit assembly time of small satellites. We use Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) robot arms to snap together components in a spacecraft, while minimizing humans-in-the-loop. Assembly time is the selected performance metric as it is critical to the assertion that building small satellites on-orbit results in reduced budget and satellite development time on Earth. We minimize on-orbit small satellite assembly time by optimizing assembly time with the Genetic Algorithm, which use dexterous robotic arms to assemble components, without any negative effects on the attitude and control system.
NASA currently provides telecommunications services via three distinct sets of networks. The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program Office has directed the three networks to develop an integrated network. The integrated network concept is managed by a new project called the SCaN Network Integration Project (SNIP). This paper will discuss the integrated network concepts, architecture and SNIP.
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