Inactive

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking partnerships for various technologies that would facilitate the development of On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (OSAM)... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking partnerships for various technologies that would facilitate the development of On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (OSAM) capabilities. Specifically, a cooperative client spacecraft to facilitate capture by a robotic servicer, further termed a "grapple fixture" and "grapple tool". In regards to OSAM capabilities, grapple fixtures provide a means for rigid coupling between a robot system and free flying spacecraft, include coarse and fine alignment features, are essential tools for capture of satellites, and are enabling for upcoming servicing and assembly missions. Grapple fixtures are needed in various sizes for grappling small spacecraft, as well as servicing of larger spacecraft/platforms. Modules equipped with grapple fixtures could enable robotic manipulation which would facilitate servicing and/or assembly. NASA wishes to encourage the creation of domestic commercial capabilities that meet both future Government and non-government needs for on-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing. NASA expects to rely on industry for such capabilities once they have been established. Therefore, NASA is lending its expertise to industry and other government agencies to advise on the use of such technologies, as NASA is the US government steward of knowledge and expertise for on-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing.