Astrobee Sample Clauses

Astrobee. The Astrobee Element (FY15 to FY18) will focus on developing a new free-flying robot suitable for performing IVA work on the ISS. The new robot will build upon technology and lessons learned from the Smart Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellite (SPHERES) robot, which was developed and tested by the Human Exploration Telerobotics (HET) project under the Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM) program. Astrobee will be designed to address a variety of scenarios, which will be developed and detailed in collaboration with the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) program and the ISS SPHERES Facility in the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD). Candidate scenarios include mobile sensor (including imagers), automated logistics (e.g., mobile inventory), and free-flying robotic testbed. Success for Astrobee involves developing and testing robot technologies required for autonomous operations (including free-flying mobility), remote operation by ground controllers, and human-robot interaction with crew. These technologies include propulsion, robot user interface (proximal and remote), supervisory control, payload interface, and/or navigation. Successful on-orbit testing and demonstration of these technologies following the ISS payload process will bring the system to TRL 8. Table 1 specifies which capabilities must be demonstrated for minimum and full success.

Astrobee. Astrobee will utilize several unique Xxxx Research Center (ARC) facilities for prototype development and testing. These facilities already exist and are used for small satellite development and testing. Some of these facilities may require modification to be used with Astrobee. Astrobee will require the use of the ARC SPHERES Granite Lab located in ARC Building N269. This lab has an air-bearing table used for 2-DOF testing of satellites that sit on an air-bearing pallet. This allows the satellite to translate along the x and y-axes, and yaw about the z-axis. The SPHERES Granite Lab is actively used by the SPHERES Program, and as the primary Astrobee customer, they will modify the lab to conduct Astrobee testing as well. Astrobee will also require the use of the ARC Micro Gravity Test Facility (MGTF) located in ARC Building N269. This lab suspends a satellite in free space, which allows testing translation in three axes, as well as yaw about the z-axis. This lab is maintained by the SPHERES Program, and will be upgraded for Astrobee. Additional ground based testing will be performed in the ARC Generalized Nanosatellite Testbed (GNAT) located in ARC Building N213. This lab is used for avionics, software and sensor testing. This lab also includes a spherical air bearing, which will be used to test pointing in 3 axes. Finally, Astrobee has already been approved as a payload, and specific Astrobee requirements for ISS integration are being documented in a ISS Payload Integration Agreement (PIA).

Astrobee. During FY15, two controlled (Level 1) milestones were achieved: (1) Completion of Prototype 2 testing, and (2) Completion of Prototype 3 testing. In addition, two Periodic Technical Reviews (PTR) were conducted. PTR #1 reviewed system/subsystem requirements, Prototype 2 test results, and Prototype 3 test plans. PTR #2 reviewed Astrobee preliminary design, Prototype 3 test results, and Prototype 4 test plans. During FY16, one controlled milestone will be achieved; completion of Prototype 4 testing. PTR #3 will review Prototype 4 test results, Cert and Flight Unit development plans, and Cert and Flight Unit testing plans. During FY17, two controlled milestones will be achieved: (1) Completion of Cert Unit testing and (2) Completion of Flight Unit testing. PTR #4 will review Cert Unit test results, and PTR #5 will close out the Element work. During FY18, two controlled milestones will be achieved: (1) Astrobee’s first flight and basic mobility test and (2) Astrobee operations demonstration.