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Robots Go Galactic: New Space Mission Takes Flight
11 Feb
Summary
- Motiv and PickNik partner for NASA's robotic space mission.
- Advanced robot arm software developed for orbital manipulation.
- Space ROS powers new capabilities for in-space servicing.
Motiv Space Systems has partnered with PickNik Robotics to advance NASA's Fly Foundational Robotics (FFR) mission. This collaboration focuses on enhancing robotic manipulation capabilities in low Earth orbit, directly supporting NASA's broader In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) objectives.
PickNik will contribute its MoveIt Pro commercial robotics platform to develop crucial software for motion planning and arm control. This technology will be utilized for mission planning, simulation, and executing robotic movements within the strict constraints of spaceflight operations. The mission will employ Space ROS, a specialized version of the Robot Operating System tailored for spaceflight.
This partnership involves delivering a flight-ready runtime configuration and a ground-based operator terminal. These tools will enable the mission team to thoroughly test and validate robotic behaviors through simulation and digital twin analysis before and during on-orbit operations.
Further collaboration will cover software integration, including behavior execution and system monitoring interfaces, designed for long-duration operations and intermittent communications. These advancements leverage MoveIt Pro's architecture and Space ROS's alignment with spaceflight software standards.
Both Motiv and PickNik anticipate that the FFR mission will provide valuable operational experience and lessons learned, informing future robotic endeavors in space. This mission marks a significant step towards a sustainable ISAM economy.
