NASA Selects Maxar to Build, Fly Innovative Robotic Spacecraft Assembly Technology on Restore-L
January 31 2020 - 4:30PM
Business Wire
Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), a trusted partner and
innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, today
announced that it was selected by NASA to perform an in-space
assembly demonstration using a lightweight robotic arm. The arm,
called SPIDER (Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot), will be
integrated with the spacecraft bus Maxar is building for NASA’s
Restore-L project, which plans to refuel a satellite in low Earth
orbit.
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Maxar will integrate robotics for
on-orbit assembly with NASA’s Restore-L spacecraft. Image: Maxar
Technologies
The award is valued at $142 million and follows a successful
ground demonstration in 2017, and a review in August 2018 that
validated Maxar’s first-generation end-to-end system architecture
and detailed robotic arm design. Maxar is identifying roughly $2
million of work to be performed by West Virginia University through
its West Virginia Robotic Technology Center, including independent
verification of SPIDER’s capabilities through multiple performance
studies to increase the reliability of in-space assembly tasks. The
program was called Dragonfly during the design and ground
demonstration phase.
SPIDER will be built by Maxar’s team in Pasadena, Calif., which
has previously delivered six robotic arms for NASA’s Mars rovers
and landers, including the arm currently operating on InSight
Lander and an arm for the upcoming Mars 2020 Rover.
SPIDER will enable spacecraft components to be robotically
assembled and reconfigured while on-orbit. For Restore-L, SPIDER
will assemble multiple antenna reflector elements into one large
antenna reflector. This revolutionary process allows satellites,
telescopes and other systems to use larger and more powerful
components that might not fit into a standard rocket fairing when
fully assembled. The technologies developed under SPIDER could
ultimately enable entirely new architectures and space
infrastructure for a wide range of government and commercial
missions, including commercial satellites, human space exploration
to the Moon and Mars under the Artemis program and in-space
telescope assembly.
SPIDER will also demonstrate in-space manufacturing using
Tethers Unlimited’s MakerSat. MakerSat will manufacture a 10-meter
lightweight composite beam, verifying its capability to form large
spacecraft truss structures for future missions. As it manufactures
the beam, MakerSat will characterize the beam’s shape and
structural performance to determine if a structure built in space
performs differently than one made here on Earth.
“Maxar has always led innovation in space infrastructure,
transforming the commercial satellite industry with advances such
as high-throughput satellite technologies for high-speed internet
and powerful electric propulsion for next-generation space
transportation,” said Megan Fitzgerald, Maxar’s Senior Vice
President and General Manager, Space Infrastructure. “SPIDER, in
combination with our flexible 1300-class spacecraft bus and
technologies for in-space operations, will enable new applications
in communications and remote sensing satellites, large in-space
assembled telescopes and future exploration missions that support a
sustained human presence beyond Earth orbit. We’re delighted to add
this innovative program to our growing civil and government space
portfolio.”
About Maxar
Maxar is a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence
and Space Infrastructure. We deliver disruptive value to government
and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand and
navigate our changing planet; deliver global broadband
communications; and explore and advance the use of space. Our
unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and
a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and
deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale and cost
effectiveness. Maxar’s 5,800 team members in 30 global locations
are inspired to harness the potential of space to help our
customers create a better world. Maxar trades on the New York Stock
Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information,
visit www.maxar.com.
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Media Contact Omar Mahmoud Maxar Media Relations
1-650-852-5388 omar.mahmoud@maxar.com Investor Relations
Contact Jason Gursky Maxar VP Investor Relations 1-303-684-2207
jason.gursky@maxar.com
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