SDL SpaceBot Competition - Aggie AstroArm

Team: Josh Taylor, Branson Mortensen, Thomas Memmott, Nathan Linden, Skyler King, and Nathan Williams

Sponsor: Space Dynamics Lab

Product Description

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) contracted with Aggie AstroArm to build a robot that can attach to multiple materials commonly found on satellites. The robot must be operated as if it were in space.

These materials include:

  • Aluminum
  • Solar Panel Array
  • Honeycomb Panel
  • MLI Insulation (Space Blanket)

The Robot

Our solution is a four-axis robot arm with a special gripper attachment. The four axes allow the robot to move like a human arm (shoulder, elbow, and wrist) along with side-to-side motion.

The gripper has a special material called Gecko Skin that allows the robot to grip the satellite materials. The Gecko Skin acts like the feet of a gecko, allowing the robot to grip onto any smooth surface. This material has already been tested in space through multiple missions and robots.

The gripper has multiple electronics that allow a user to operate the robot. This includes a load cell and a stereoscopic camera. The load cell allows the user to know when the robot has made contact with a surface. The stereoscopic camera is a type of 3D camera that allows the user to know how far away they are from a surface.

heat map of the block 'A' on Old Main
3D model rendering
close up of part of prototype
Prototype on a testing bench
Part sitting on a bench
Part being held
Student working with prototype

Performance Review

Requirement Target Threshold Actual Performance
Stowed Payload Size 12” × 12” × 24” 15” × 15” × 30” 15” × 15” × 30”
Robot Power Input N/A 120V Outlet 120V Outlet
Satellite Damage No Damage Minimal Damage No Damage
Repair Time 25 Minutes 30 Minutes 15 Minutes
Maximum Budget $3,000 $15,000 $5,362.30
Remote Operation N/A Without line-of-sight Without line-of-sight
Mission N/A Attach to all materials Attach to all materials

Analysis for the robot was performed with engineering equations of the overall design.

Testing of the robot included troubleshooting the code on each motor before assembly, testing each joint when assembled, and analyzing each electronic component as it ran the written code.

Conclusion

Over the school year, we were able to design, build, and test the entire robot. During the competition, we got 1st place!

Because of this competition, each of us have a better understanding of engineering and design. All of our team members learned how to machine, which allows us to design optimal parts that can be manufactured.

Future work includes testing the Gecko Skin further and implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to have the robot attach autonomously. Another goal is to improve the electronics and code of the robot.