CARNOT CYCLE| Let's Connect

Let's Connect

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.

Autonomous SpaceNut

Summary

Vehicles used in space had always been manufactured in the world and sent to space at great expense with limited size. So, can't we build massive structures in space? We designed an autonomous bolt-nut system that will improve and accelerate space monage. The smart bolt-nuts produced from the material that can withstand the harsh conditions of the space is connected to the step motor for revolution. The control of the docking is also provided by the mutual position of the sensors on the appropriate sides of the connected pairs. In addition, the welding robot can also be used for assembly in space if the structure to be installed is desired to be durable and stable for a long time.

How We Addressed This Challenge
  • Autonomous SpaceNut is a self-controlling assembly design.
  • Permanent damage occurs when joining two objects in space with methods such as TIG welding. Thanks to our project, we can connect two objects without permanent damage. It can also be used continuously. Another advantage is that it can be self-operating (autonomous) or remotely controlled without the need for labor.
  • In our project, we enabled two spacecraft to interlock autonomously in space.
  • Thanks to the Autonomous SpaceNut we have produced, two spacecraft approach each other at the correct position with the help of sensors.The bolts rotate thanks to the step motors in these moving spacecraft. This rotating bolts attaches to the other spacecraft through our design we call Autonomous SpaceNut. Docking can be provided in two different ways. The first of these is provided by the presence of a motor in both spacecraft, the other method is to have a step motor in a spacecraft.
  • We realized this design because we aimed to use it as a connection method that can be used continuously, can provide self-connection control, give more precise results, do not cause permanent damage on objects, can be self-connected, does not harm human health such as welding method during connection.




How We Developed This Project
  • We first thought of the robot welding method. Later, we realized that we needed an economical and continuously usable design. For this reason, we were inspired by the closing mechanism of the water bottle in front of us while we searched for our research on NASA and SpaceX websites.
  • Since we also think that we need to make a design that can work on its own, we planned to put sensors in the parts where the spacecraft will dock. We also thought we needed a stepper motor to move the bolts and salmon. We thought this stepper motor would later be developed as an electric motor.
  • We designed and simulated our design with the Siemens Nx program. With this CAD program, we had the opportunity to examine our preliminary design. In the process after this stage, we are planning to make real-scale analysis from MSC Adams program for kinematic analysis.
  • We had 3 different designs. When we listed these as the necessary advantages and disadvantages, we decided on the Autonomous SpaceNut design. Since our team has been involved in competitions before, we determined our working system and plan in line with our fields.


How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project

We used the space agency data to give ideas to our team because we didn't need precise numerical data as the main line of the project was ideas and approaches. However;



  • How are the environmental conditions in the space,
  • How a material or spacecraft in space is repaired in space from past to present,
  • What is the largest structure ever sent to space,
  • Assembly techniques in space
  • And finally, we researched and learned the story of the International Space Station and the unification of large teleslops in space from NASA and / or one of NASA's partner agencies for Space Apps 2020.

These, in turn, increased our curiosity on the subject and enabled us to be inspired.

Project Demo
Data & Resources
  • Finckenor, Groh,2015, International Space Station (ISS) Researcher’s Guide,USA, NASA ISS Program Science Office
  • Fronius Editor 11. October 2018, & Fronius Editor. (2018, October 25). Welding for Space Travel: The Ultimate Challenge. Retrieved from https://blog.perfectwelding.fronius.com/en/welding-for-space-travel/
  • Plaza, C. (2015, July 22). Welding in Space. Retrieved from https://awo.aws.org/2015/07/welding-in-space/
Tags
#autonomous , #economic , #artificial intelligent , #Bolt&Nut , #Welding , #sustainable , #innovation , #assembly ,#connection ,#docking , #CAD
Judging
This project was submitted for consideration during the Space Apps Judging process.