The end-over-end walking robot (E-Walker) will help scientists build big space structures, such as the 25m Large Aperture Space Telescope (LAST), which must be assembled in-situ.
Demand for large infrastructure in space and associated maintenance is set to grow. But these projects cannot be assembled on earth due to limited space shuttle size.
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The risks to humans working in space outside of a space-craft are high, which is another driver to improve space robotics and autonomous systems.
Researchers proven the E-Walker’s ability to construct the LAST in space. Their results are in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI.
In-orbit commissioning
Corresponding author Manu Nair, PhD candidate at the University of Lincoln, said: “The prospect of in-orbit commissioning of a LAST has fuelled scientific and commercial interests in deep-space astronomy and Earth observation.
“Although conventional space-walking robotic candidates are dexterous, they are constrained in manoeuvrability.”
The E-Walker is a limbed robotic system that can move to different locations to perform tasks with seven degrees of motion capability. The design incorporates mobility features to offer access to a larger workstation without compromising the dexterity.
The design also showed promise for large Earth-based construction and infrastructure projects.
Nair added: “The analysis of the scaled-down prototype identifies it to also be an ideal candidate for servicing, maintenance, and assembly operations on Earth, such as carrying out regular maintenance checks on wind turbines.”
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