End Effectors / On-Orbit Assembly & Servicing
Truss Assembly End Effector
Product Features
Honeybee Robotics has received funding from NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC) to support research and development efforts on a robot end effector to be used for installation of strut members in large precision, doubly curved and/or orthogonal space truss structures. The end effector must be capable of unlocking, removing and inserting struts that have been previously installed in the structure into storage trays for delivery to an assembly site. This operation must not interfere with adjacent struts, trays, or the mechanisms necessary for transfer operations of the trays. The end effector must be able to install all of the different length members within the truss structure.
Cameras, sensors, a microprocessor, and interface electronics will also be incorporated into the end effector to monitor and evaluate system operations.
Future applications of the technology include the on-orbit assembly of large space based antennas, reflectors, feed booms, and platforms.