Maxar Completes SPIDER Robotic Arm Critical Design Review
March 10 2021 - 06:00AM
Business Wire
On Track for Shipment to NASA in
2022
Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR), a trusted partner and
innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, today
announced that the SPace Infrastructure DExterous Robot
(SPIDER) it is developing for NASA completed its Critical Design
Review (CDR). SPIDER is a robotic assembly and manufacturing
demonstration included on NASA’s upcoming On-Orbit Servicing,
Assembly and Manufacturing-1 (OSAM-1) mission. With the CDR
complete, Maxar remains on track to deliver the SPIDER hardware to
NASA in the first half of 2022.
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This SPIDER rendering shows the robotic
arm assembling individual antenna reflector components into one
large reflector. Image Credit: Maxar Technologies
SPIDER will demonstrate the ability to robotically assemble and
reconfigure spacecraft components while on-orbit. This
revolutionary process could allow satellites, telescopes and other
systems to use larger and more powerful components that might not
fit into a standard rocket fairing when fully assembled. SPIDER
will be integrated with the spacecraft bus Maxar is also building
for OSAM-1, which will refuel a government-owned satellite that was
not originally designed to be serviced on-orbit. Specifically, for
OSAM-1, SPIDER will assemble in space seven individual antenna
reflector elements to construct one large, precisely shaped antenna
reflector.
Maxar has previously delivered six robotic arms for NASA’s Mars
rovers and landers, including the Sample Handling Assembly robotic
arm on the recently landed Perseverance Rover.
The SPIDER CDR took place over a four-day period in February and
demonstrated that the arm design meets NASA mission requirements.
NASA missions undergo multiple rigorous technical and programmatic
reviews as they proceed through the phases of development prior to
launch. The CDR is one of several NASA mission milestones,
culminating with the spacecraft’s launch.
“The innovative robotics technologies we are developing for
SPIDER have the potential to enable an entirely new era of space
infrastructure,” said Robert Curbeam, Maxar’s Senior Vice President
of Space Capture. “SPIDER is one of many game-changing programs we
have at Maxar. We hope to see this technology leveraged for a
multitude of commercial and government space missions, including
commercial satellite servicing, in-space telescope assembly and
human exploration on the Moon and beyond under NASA’s Artemis
program.”
As part of the OSAM-1 mission, 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 structures for future
missions. As it manufactures the beam, MakerSat will measure the
beam’s straightness and mechanical properties to determine if it is
built to prescribed requirements.
Maxar first announced it was selected by NASA’s Space Technology
Mission Directorate to perform an in-space assembly demonstration
using a lightweight robotic arm in January 2020. Maxar is working
in partnership with the West Virginia Robotic Technology Center on
independent verification of SPIDER’s capabilities through multiple
performance studies to increase the reliability of in-space
assembly tasks.
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 4,300 team members in over 20 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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Investor Relations Contact: Jason Gursky Maxar VP,
Investor Relations and Corporate Treasurer 1-303-684-2207
jason.gursky@maxar.com
Media Contact: Abby Dickes Maxar, Government Marketing
& Communications Manager 1-202-750-0914
abby.dickes@maxar.com
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