A robotic platform for traversing and manipulating a modular 3D lattice structure is described. The robot is designed specifically for its tasks within a structured environment, and is simplified in terms of its numbers of degrees of freedom (DOF). This allows for simpler controls and a reduction of mass and cost. Designing the robot relative to the environment in which it operates results in a specific type of robot called a “relative robot”. Depending on the task and environment, there can be a number of relative robots. This invention describes a bipedal robot which can locomote across a periodic lattice structure made of building block parts. The robot is able to handle, manipulate, and transport these blocks when there is more than one robot. Based on a general inchworm design, the robot has added functionality while retaining minimal complexity, and can perform numerous maneuvers for increased speed, reach, and placement.

An optically powered system for rapid, focused heating and melting of water ice. The optical wavelength is chosen to fall in a range where transmissivity through liquid water is higher than through ice. An alternative embodiment of the invention further comprises a length of fiber optic tether between source and output to allow for motion of the melt head. A further embodiment includes probing the ice using various sensing modalities exploiting the presence of the fiber in the ice, searching for biomarkers and characterizing the radiation/light environment for subsurface habitability, including photosynthetic potential and radiation environment as a source for energy.

A device for capturing a space object, the device comprising a pressure element configured to come into direct mechanical contact with the space object to be captured. The device comprises at least two reclosable elements movable between an open position for capturing the space object and a closed position for retaining the space object. The device also comprises an apparatus to mechanically transmit movement from the pressure element to each reclosable element, the mechanical transmission apparatus being configured to entrain each reclosable element in displacement between the open position and the closed position by pressure of the space object on the pressure element.

A device for capturing a space object, the device comprising a pressure element configured to come into direct mechanical contact with the space object to be captured. The device comprises at least two reclosable elements movable between an open position for capturing the space object and a closed position for retaining the space object. The device also comprises an apparatus to mechanically transmit movement from the pressure element to each reclosable element, the mechanical transmission apparatus being configured to entrain each reclosable element in displacement between the open position and the closed position by pressure of the space object on the pressure element.

A device for deploying and pointing an equipment item is disclosed including a mobile platform for receiving the equipment item, a carrier integrally secured to a wall of a spacecraft, and three identical linear actuators which connect the carrier to the mobile platform and are suitable for moving the platform in translation along one axis and for orienting the platform in rotation about two axes. Each linear actuator including a first portion connected to the platform by a universal joint, a second portion connected to the carrier by a pivot connection, a motor, and a screw/nut joint interconnecting the two portions, each universal joint being suitable for preventing the screw/nut joint from rotating about the axis, such that driving the motor causes a translational movement between the first and the second portion.

Disclosed are a ground test system and a test method for a space-oriented multi-arm spacecraft system. A spacecraft system simulator floats on an air-floating platform through four porous air feet, a test truss is placed around the air-floating platform, a simulation auxiliary docking device, a simulation crawling truss and a satellite model are arranged in a middle of a ceiling of the test truss, and an assembly test area and a silent air compressor are arranged on sides of the test truss. The application is used to solve the problems that the prior art cannot simulate the movement and crawling of the multi-arm spacecraft system in space, assembly of large space structures, and the prior art cannot simulate the influence of assembling, catching and other actions on a base in a weightless environment.

End effectors and systems may capture, release, and/or create a mating engagement between the end effector and a target object. Said end effectors are tolerant of positional and rotational misalignment of the target object, and include a plurality of roller wheels, one or more of which is arranged in a non-parallel plane with respect to one or more other roller wheels. A first roller wheel configured to rotate in a first plane, a second roller wheel configured to rotate in a second plane, and a third roller wheel configured to rotate in a third plane may be arranged such that the end effector is configured to engage a passive receptacle of the target object, to capture the target object. Rotating the roller wheels in the opposite direction may cause the target object to be released or launched, by urging the passive receptacle off of or away from the roller wheels.

An equipment cleaning apparatus for an extraplanetary environment includes a cleaner vessel positioned at an exterior of an extraplanetary habitat, and an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat and allowing access to an interior of the cleaner vessel. The cleaning apparatus is operable in one or more cleaning cycles to clean equipment located in the cleaner vessel. A method of cleaning equipment in an extraplanetary environment includes providing a cleaner vessel at an extraplanetary habitat, placing one or more articles of equipment into an interior of the cleaner vessel through an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat, closing the exterior hatch, and operating one or more cleaning cycles on the equipment in the cleaner vessel.

An equipment cleaning apparatus for an extraplanetary environment includes a cleaner vessel positioned at an exterior of an extraplanetary habitat, and an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat and allowing access to an interior of the cleaner vessel. The cleaning apparatus is operable in one or more cleaning cycles to clean equipment located in the cleaner vessel. A method of cleaning equipment in an extraplanetary environment includes providing a cleaner vessel at an extraplanetary habitat, placing one or more articles of equipment into an interior of the cleaner vessel through an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat, closing the exterior hatch, and operating one or more cleaning cycles on the equipment in the cleaner vessel.

Techniques for deploying a plurality of smallsats from a common launch vehicle are disclosed where a structural arrangement provides a load path between an upper stage of the launch and the plurality of spacecraft. Each spacecraft is mechanically coupled with the launch vehicle upper stage only by the structural arrangement. The structural arrangement includes at least one trunk member that is approximately aligned with the longitudinal axis of the launch vehicle upper stage, a plurality of branch members, each branch member being attached to the trunk member and having at least a first end portion that is substantially outboard from the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of mechanical linkages, each linkage coupled at a first end with a first respective spacecraft and coupled at a second end with one of the plurality of branch members, the trunk member or a second respective spacecraft.