SpaceBot Competition

Design a Satellite Repair Robotic Payload!

Gather a team and help design the next generation of robotic servicing satellites. The challenge is to develop a new satellite payload that can deploy from, traverse around, and fix a satellite, providing new capabilities for on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing.

Using a test scenario, SDL requires that your team prove your payload’s capabilities by performing repairs on a malfunctioning spacecraft called Modular Earth Sensing Surveyor (MESS). The MESS spacecraft unfortunately had a deployable solar panel caught by a piece of tape during ground assembly, prohibiting the panel from deploying after launch and the spacecraft from generating power. Your SpaceBot payload will be used to free the solar panel so MESS may resume nominal operations.

Your job is to:

1. Develop a stowable payload that can perform the repair activity.
2. Characterize the developed platform—describe the capabilities, limitations, and possible use cases of the designed SpaceBot.
3. Operate the integrated payload during a ground demonstration activity.

Assuming that SDL has launched the MESS satellite with the SpaceBot payload onboard, it will be up to your team to perform the repair activities and rescue the MESS satellite. Good luck!