CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Tucked amid the other gear inside the cargo bay of NASA's last space shuttle to fly will be a novel experiment: a robot gas station for spacecraft that, if successful, could change how satellites are designed.
NASA engineers are packing up the so-called Robotic Refueling Mission hardware and other equipment for delivery to the International Space Station on the shuttle Atlantis, which is set to fly July 8. The flight, STS-135, is NASA's last-ever shuttle mission to the station before the 30-year-old orbiter program is retired for good. [Gallery: Shuttle Atlantis' Last Launch Pad Trek]
Normally, when a satellite is launched into orbit it, is already carrying all the fuel for its entire mission onboard. Once that fuel runs out, the satellite's life is effectively over. That fact makes it tough for old satellites — as well as craft launched into the wrong orbit and ones that suffer a malfunction — to keep working. But this new in-space refueling project could change things.
Developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment will include a set of tools that could not only gas up satellites in space, but also perform minor repairs.
This system's first test will be performed on the space station using the orbiting lab's Canadian-built Dextre robot to check its feasibility. The refueling test hardware includes simulated caps, valves, external thermal blankets and ethanol fuel, experiment designers said.
A complex experiment
It will be the Dextre robot's job to use its own set of specialized tools to try to access the refueling systems, officials added. Yet, on most satellites, similar valves and other equipment were never designed to be touched in space.
"Due to how these satellites were initially assembled, the nature of this mission is very complex," said Benjamin Reed, NASA's deputy project manager of the Space Servicing Capabilities Project. "If this works out, whenever a satellite goes through this process, not only will it be refueled, it will also be modified so that now it can be refueled more readily."
If the system works as expected, the first actual mission to repair a satellite running low on fuel is scheduled for May 2013, NASA officials said. But that wouldn't be just another test flight; it would include a trip to visit a weather satellite slated to be decommissioned, they added.
For Atlantis' launch, the Robotic Refueling Mission hardware will be attached to a shelf-like external cargo platform in the shuttle's payload bay. Several other large spare parts for the space station will also ride along.
Atlantis' final flight
tlantis's payload bay will also be carrying a pressurized cargo pod called the Rafaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, which will be filled with more supplies, equipment and experiments for the space station's six-person crew. As this is the last flight of the shuttle program, the cargo module has been modified to maximize the amount of payload that it can carry.
"We incorporated into this flight an additional stowage kit that allows us to have an additional 400 pounds of cargo bags around the ascent cone," said Mike Kinslow, payload flow manager for the Atlantis mission. "The other big change that was done was, a modification package was added to strengthen the racks so that we could add additional cargo bags close to the floor. This increased what each of these racks could carry by 200 pounds."
Atlantis is currently scheduled to launch on July 8 at 11:40 a.m. EDT. The shuttle's crew is made up entirely of veteran astronauts, including commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim.
NASA is retiring its three-shuttle fleet to make way for a new space exploration program aimed at landing astronauts on an asteroid by 2025. After the upcoming mission, Atlantis and its sister ships will be moved to museums for permanent public display.
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Nasa's factsheet about the experiment
Experiment/Payload Description
Research Summary
Before a satellite leaves the ground, technicians fill its fuel tank through a valve that is then triple-sealed and covered with a protective blanket, designed never to be accessed again. The Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) is an external International Space Station experiment that demonstrates that a remote-controlled robot can remove these barriers and refuel such a satellite in space. RRM is the first NASA on-orbit demonstration of the technology needed to perform robotic refueling on spacecraft not built to be refueled.
RRM demonstrates robotic refueling technology and techniques using Dextre (the space station?s twin-armed Canadian robotic "handyman"), four unique RRM tools, and an RRM enclosure peppered with refueling components and activity boards. During the mission, Dextre uses RRM tools to cut and manipulate protective blankets and wires, unscrew caps and access valves, transfer fluid, and leave a new cap in place for future refueling activities. The experiment also demonstrates space robotic operations. RRM marks the first use of Dextre beyond the planned maintenance of the space station and uses Dextre for technology research and development.
RRM is designed to demonstrate that remote-controlled robots can perform refueling tasks in orbit via ground commanding. As the first on-orbit attempt to test robotic refueling techniques for spacecraft not built with on-orbit servicing in mind, RRM is expected to reduce risks and lay the foundation for future robotic servicing missions.
Description
The Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) is an external International Space Station experiment that paves the way for future robotic refueling missions by demonstrating robotic refueling tasks and servicing technologies in a zero-g environment. RRM uses the ISS?s Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (also known as "Dextre"), "representative satellite fueling interfaces" and four unique RRM tools to validate the tasks, tools, and techniques needed to repair "legacy" satellites, spacecraft not designed to be refueled in orbit. During operations, RRM validates in-orbit the same tasks that were demonstrated on the ground by NASA Goddard?s Satellite Servicing Capabilities Office Robotic Team during RRM preparations.
After STS-135 docks to the International Space Station, RRM will be transferred by a spacewalking astronaut to Dextre?s Enhanced Orbital Replacement Unit Temporary Platform (EOTP). Following the shuttle?s departure, RRM will remain on the EOTP, and Dextre and Canadarm2 will transfer RRM to its permanent location on the station?s truss at the Expedite the Pocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Logistics Carrier-4 (ELC-4).
The Robotic Refueling structure contains "representative satellite fueling interfaces" including a fluid transfer system. It also contains an interactive task board, test port panel, vision processing interfaces, tool and cap stowage area, and command/telemetry electronics. Four robotic tools are mounted alongside the fueling interface: the Wire Cutter and Blanket Manipulation Tool, the Safety Cap Removal Tool, the Multifunction Tool, and the Nozzle Tool.
RRM performs its tasks with help of Dextre, the two-armed robot developed by the Canadian Space Agency to perform delicate assembly and maintenance tasks on the station?s exterior. Dextre uses the robotic tools to manipulate Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI), remove caps, cut wires, hook up and seal to the fuel valve, and transfer fuel from one tank to another. Robotic task boards are also included that allow Dextre to perform additional robotic servicing tasks as well as evaluate machine vision algorithms.
The goal is to complete an end-to-end refueling demonstration using a representative spacecraft fuel system, starting with accessing the spacecraft fill/drain valve covered by MLI, progressing through each of the steps to access and open the valve, and ending with fuel transfer from one tank to another. ?Completing the demonstration will validate the tool designs (complemented with cameras and sensors), the fuel pumping system, and robotic task planning, all of which will be applied towards a comprehensive Refueler spacecraft design.
Additionally, on a separate panel, Dextre will remove SubMiniature Version A termination caps from a ground test port, revealing exposed coaxial radio frequency connectors. In a subsequent mission, coaxial cables could be flown and mated to the connectors. This would demonstrate that the capability exists to potentially bypass a failed or outdated avionics unit on a satellite.
One of RRM?s secondary goals is to collect performance data from all RRM operations conducted on Space Station and use this information to validate a "Tool-to-Spacecraft" contact dynamics robotics simulation facility that has been developed in parallel with the RRM flight hardware. The Goddard Satellite Servicing Development Facility?s (GSSDF) first objective will be to validate that the facility accurately simulates the dynamic space environment of Space Station. With that certification, the team will then expand the GSSDF?s capability to develop and test any future space robotic servicing and assembly missions with a very high degree of accuracy.
RRM operations will be entirely remote controlled by flight controllers at NASA?s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md, Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL, and the CSA?s control center in St. Hubert, Quebec.
The RRM Tools? functions are:
Wire Cutter and Blanket Manipulation Tool: Cuts through tape securing the thermal blanket and severs safety wires attached to the fuel cap and other gas caps to allow removal.
Multifunction Tool: Releases, captures and removes the fuel cap and interfaces with a gas panel.
Safety Cap Removal Tool: Releases, captures and removes the safety cap and a seal.
Nozzle Tool: Connects to the satellite?s fuel valve using a quick disconnect fitting and is capable of opening and closing the valve. After refueling, the quick disconnect fitting is left behind, giving operators ease of Multifunction Tool access for future refueling.
Applications
Space Applications
Robotic refueling extends a satellite?s lifespan, potentially offering satellite owners and operators years of additional service and revenue, more value from the initial satellite investment, and significant savings in delayed replacement costs. Numerous satellites are in orbit today in that could benefit from such a service.
In-orbit robotic refueling has also been identified by several nations and space agencies as a critical capability that supports overarching autonomy and expansion in space. If applied in conjunction with a fuel depot, robotic refueling would eliminate the need for space explorers and satellites to carry up heavy amounts of fuel at launch, thus freeing up weight for mission-critical equipment and capabilities. Robotic refueling has the potential to allow human and robotic explorers to reach distant destinations more efficiently and effectively.
As an ISS experiment, RRM reduces the risk associated with performing robotic refueling tasks in-orbit and lays the foundation for a future robotic servicing mission to a free-flying satellite. It also advances space robotic capabilities. It is the first NASA technology demonstration to test and prove technology needed to perform robotic refueling on spacecraft not built to be refueled, and the first use of Dextre beyond robotic maintenance of the space station for technology research and development.
One of RRM?s secondary goals is to collect performance data from all RRM operations conducted on Space Station and use this information to validate a "Tool-to-Spacecraft" contact dynamics robotics simulation facility that has been developed in parallel with the RRM flight hardware. The Goddard Satellite Servicing Development Facility?s (GSSDF) first objective will be to validate that the facility accurately simulates the dynamic space environment of Space Station. With that certification, the team will then expand the GSSDF?s capability to develop and test any future space robotic servicing and assembly missions with a very high degree of accuracy.
Earth Applications
Robotic refueling extends the lifetime of satellites, allowing owners and operators to gain additional years of use from assets already operating in space. Technology spinoffs have the potential to benefit humankind in yet-undiscovered ways.
Operations
Operational Requirements
During its demonstration execution, RRM locates and gains access to a Fill/Drain Valve that is representative of a typical satellite fuel system. It opens and closes the Fill Drain Valve, and connects and disconnects a fluid supply source to the Fill/Drain Valve. RRM is capable of completing the demonstration tasks at least six (6) times.
RRM Mission Operations are being controlled from GSFC. Robotic operations are controlled by NASA?s Johnson Space Center, with payload commanding performed from NASA?s Marshall Space Flight Center.
Operational Protocols
Before a satellite leaves the ground, technicians fill its fuel tank through a valve that is then triple-sealed and covered with a protective blanket, designed never to be accessed again. RRM will test whether a robot can remove these barriers and refuel such a satellite in space through a series of activity boards and four unique RRM tools specially designed to get the job done.
The best way to visualize RRM?s mission is to think of Dextre, the space station?s twin-armed Canadian robotic "handyman", as a skilled spacecraft refueling technician. Dextre was developed by the CSA to perform delicate assembly and maintenance tasks on the station?s exterior as an extension of its 57-foot-long (17.6 meter) robotic arm, Canadarm2. The RRM box, which will be mounted on an external space station platform, includes protective thermal blankets, caps, valves, simulated fuel, and other components that need to be pushed back, cut through, unscrewed and transferred. Each component and activity board represents an individual refueling task, and each RRM tool is designed to efficiently complete a wide range of targeted tasks.
For instance, to fill up RRM?s fuel tank with a simulated fuel, Dextre?s robotic "hands" would retrieve the Nozzle Tool from RRM, securely connect the tool to the fuel valve on the RRM box, and transfer fluid (the simulated fuel) through the valve. While such activities are similar to grabbing a fuel nozzle at the gas station and filling up a car?s gas tank, each RRM task requires a high level of robotic precision and demonstrates state-of-the-art refueling technology, tools and techniques.
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Finally NASA is doing some serious work in the right direction (on-orbit refuel).
Sorry for the not-so-new news, (The Atlants lauch that brought this thing in orbit was slightly less than a month ago, if you remember the thread) but I figured that it's still cool enough to show.
