Hindustanians - Space Apps Challenge

Hindustanians| 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.

Project Sangrah

Summary

Our project aims to further boost the mobility and functionality that robots can possess for construction and assembly purposes. The main features of our project involve : the space capsule that increases the range and mobility of the robot ; assisted with a robotic arm that possesses the dexterity to hold smaller and complex components ; and the net, which is a new and unique approach to assembly assistance, which can drag along components of various sizes and structural complexities. This will allow for mobilising components that most robot arms may not have been designed for. We take inspiration from current NASA technologies, such as Canadarm2 and its subsequent versions, DEXTRE; besid

How We Addressed This Challenge

Problem Statement: To build a robotic arm that can be used to capture different components ejected into space for constructions and integrate them together to develop large scale space structures.

DESCRIPTION

The solution provided to above mentioned problem statement is by making an autonomous robotic arm and launching into the space by using a rocket. The robotic arm is implanted in a closed capsule that opens its nose after inserting the module into desired orbit. Major components are 1.) Space capsule, 2.) Robotic arm, 3.) Net with ropes.

robotic arm allows the component to be brought in the exact required spot for construction, with ease.

The net will allow for automated modules and other complex components, materials or equipment to be brought to the desired location in the necessary, without significant energy or fuel utilizations, simply by manipulation of the ropes. This turns out to be a very cost effective procedure.

What do you hope to achieve?

We hope that such designs revolutionize the field of autonomous docking procedures and construction in space. Such developments will make space construction more feasible and a viable option, hence imposing no limit on the scale of space structures, allowing for the development of future space projects like:-

· next generation space telescopes and observatories,

· space habitats and buildings,

· larger space stations

· interplanetary vehicles, etc.

How We Developed This Project

Every one of our team members is a pursuant of Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering. All of us are very fascinated and curious about space structures and the International Space Station. When the opportunity presented itself to contribute to a community that is devising the methods to develop larger and more capable space structures, we had to grab it.

We intended on developing a system that could potentially be space applicable and perhaps cost-effective. To begin off, we developed all elements of our design using Autodesk’s Fusion360.

Besides Microsoft Power point for the presentation, we used Adobe Premier Pro and the Filmora video editing software to develop an animation in 2D which would contribute immensely to the visual explanation of the project’s functions and ambitions.

The animation in 3d, which is the core component of presenting the working and mechanisms of our design, was also developed with the help of features available with Fusion360. An excellent briefing on current and future possible technologies on space assembly and its various applications was made available on NASA and CSA’s websites and documentations. Discussions on the OSAM project helped us choose the functionalities of our design.

® https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/b4h-3rd/hh-robotic-arms-reach

® https://nexis.gsfc.nasa.gov/OSAM-1.html

A reference to CSA’s website on Canadarm2 and NASA’s ideas of a robotic servicing arm, both of which were a primary inspiration to our project. The process of cosmic catches and the steps involved helped us visualise a design that could imitate the very same functionality.

® https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/canadarm2/cosmic-catches.asp

https://nexis.gsfc.nasa.gov/robotic_servicing_arm.html

References to NASA websites and multimedia on future NASA projects has been made in the presentation. These demonstrate the need for such technologies and their possible applications in the future.

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

The images and other multimedia, besides various documentations on space assembly and module docking helped us in visualising a mechanism that is the base of the project.

® https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/search/images/results.asp?search=canadarm2

How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project

An excellent briefing on current and future possible technologies on space assembly and its various applications was made available on NASA and CSA’s websites and documentations. Discussions on the OSAM project helped us choose the functionalities of our design.