Astrophile - Space Apps Challenge

Astrophile| Let's Connect

Awards & Nominations

Astrophile has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!

Global Nominee

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For bigger spacecraft capable of executing bigger missions, some of the assembly may be done in space. Your challenge is to design a simple approach that enables components to be assembled in space.

Astrophile Spaceripper

Summary

Astrophile presents Spaceripper, a unique end-effector capable of pulling space components of any size, shape and orientation and locking them together. Its telescoping gripper made from gecko-like material firmly latches onto the component and reels in, while rotating it to the desired orientation. A customized tool also mates with the space capsule and locks it in place before reeling it in further for the robot to fully dock on the capsule.

How We Addressed This Challenge

Our project provides a low-weight, small mechanism that pulls parts together from disproportionately larger dimensions and distances through its telescoping legs. Coupled with encoders and spherical joints, we enable precise alignment of parts. The same way the ball-screw mechanism retracts to pull the capsule in, it can extend upon a button press and control input can be given to rotate the screw in the opposite way to release the mated part. The button can also trigger a control circuit to pull out the gecko gripper.

How We Developed This Project

We studied how mechanisms work in space and started out a plan to make a design that can solve all the objectives of the problem. The conceptual idea for a new locking mechanism which involves taper to align itself is designed and it is made into a 3D model. The mechanism is developed such that it is capable of operating as an autonomous body.

This challenge is connected with both our passion for space and our expertise in Advanced Robotics and Manufacturing. We understand that the focus is to propose a mechanism that can aid the existing robots in space to achieve a more precise alignment of parts and pull them in close proximity to one another.we are inspired by the space and through this challenge achieved innumerable problem solving skills. Finally we gained a massive knowledge of the inner workings of how to design a space module.

How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP4_Q7iIlb0

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/technology/in-space-assembly

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/science/zipnuts.html : background on ZipNuts, the prior solution that has been used when humans put things together in space.