Space Machines, Adelaide University and others developing new robotics testbed
A newly-announced project led by Space Machines Company (SMC), which is developing vehicles for in-space servicing of satellites, is aiming to develop an orbital robotics testbed.
According to a statement from SMC on Friday, the project aims “to develop a ground-based proximity operations robotic test bed for space-borne perception and intelligence targeted at [on-orbit servicing], Space Control and space-based space domain awareness (SBSDA) applications.”
The collaborative project is supported by funding from the Defence Trailblazer’s Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities (ASIC) program. Other participants include Sentient Satellites Laboratory at the University of Adelaide; Scarlet Lab (a SmartSat CRC initiative) and the Space Control STC at Defence Science Technology Group.
Mark Ramsey, SMC’s lead on the project, said: “The technology… underpins a range of proximity operations and servicing applications such as high-resolution inspection, satellite servicing, space control and space debris management, that help safeguard space assets on-orbit.”
The University of Adelaide’s Professor Tat-Jun (TJ) Chin, the project’s technical lead, added that, “Currently, there is a lack of mature technologies that provide space-borne perception, and there are no orbital robotics testbeds in Australia.
“This project directly addresses this technical gap, which will greatly benefit the space industry.”
The project will also align with the SPACE MAITRI mission, which is scheduled for launch in 2026, led by Space Machines Company, and “aims to deliver innovative on-orbit debris management solutions.”
SMC and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) signed an agreement on the SPACE MAITRI mission in June last year.
Assisted by an $8.5 million grant from the Australian Space Agency, it aims to launch SMC’s Optimus orbital servicing vehicle from India aboard NSIL’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV.)
Picture: Dr Margaret Law (Defence Trailblazer), Ramsey and Chin
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