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Magnetic Docking
Summary
Our project consists of an hexagon-shaped module with a mechanism that facilitates in-space assembly of components. The system entails a magnetic base attached to an extensible arm. These can be stored in a compartment and would be able to dock any spaceship parts, satelites or modules wished to be connected in space.
How We Addressed This Challenge
The proposal “Magnetic Docking” aims to facilitate the assembly of components in space by making use of magnets.
To start with, we reduced all components to a hexagonal module form that can be docked without leaving empty spaces in between them and facilitating the fabrication given that they have a standard form, that could be used to attach spacial stations, spacial cities or platforms. This form was thought to exemplify the use of magnets, yet it could be applied to any component like storage units, satellites or parts of a spaceship.
Moreover, the components are delivered to space by a spaceship.
The design incorporates an extensive robotic arm to a magnetic base. The magnetic base groups four magnets in a way in which equal charges are placed diagonally against each other.
The extensive arm has two functions: firstly, to buffer the impact of the collision when docking, preventing a reckless approach that could damage the components, and secondly, to work as a rotatory axis for the magnetic base.
If two plates want to be docked, a module´s compartment opens and the arm is extended. This arm aligns both magnetic bases so that opposite charged magnets on each base allow for attraction. Once both magnetic bases are attached to each other, the arm is retracted in order to put the plates against eachother.
Since components need to be maintained, replaced or eliminated, this mechanism is thought to tackle the issue of undocking. The arm extends and rotates the magnetic base, making equally charged magnets face each other, causing the repulsion of these, and hence, the separation of the components. Once the process finishes, the arm is restored in the compartment.
Furthermore, this magnetism system addresses the problem of lack of precision or mistakes in calculations, given that magnets provide a larger range to be docked, rather than a system that needs both components to be exactly lined up.
The project hopes to facilitate and solve problems regarding the assembly and docking of different space parts. The docking mechanism together with the hexagon-shaped modules will help the development of space stations, as well as the creation of space cities and hotels, and large networks of modules which are easy to attach and dettach from each other.
How We Developed This Project
Our team chose this challenge beacuse it implied developing an innovative and new idea in order to solve existing problems and future ones. The fact that the project is also intended for the future inspired us because it meant that it is not just something that may be useful nowadays, but something that would allow further progress to be made in the future. Furthermore, what motivated us to create this project is that in Uruguay there are not many opportunities to work on fields related to space exploration .
Our approach towards this project was studying the current problematics surrounding this issue and the ones that might be faced in the future and then work out solutions which are innovative yet are based on and imply uncomplicated and straightforward concepts that are easy to understand and apply.
When starting the project we faced some problems due to our inexperience and the fact that we had never worked on this type of challenge. However, after we came up with a few ideas we were encouraged to keep going and we were able to develop a concept in which to base our project on. After this, we also faced the problem of not knowing if the mechanism we had created for assemblying would also be capable of undocking. Fortunately though, we were able to work out a solution together. Our greatest achivevement was being able to create a project which we believe in, through teamwork, in spite of not being experienced or very knowledgeable about this topic.
How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project
We used the videos and information found on the NASA´s webpage and youtube channel, which were provided to us on "Resources", to investigate and understand the assembly methods which are already in use and the prototypes that are being developed. In addition to this, we used the data to analyse the problems that are currently faced in order to develop a project that would not only solve these but which would also be prepared for problems that might arouse in future missions.