ARMADAS showcases autonomous space construction robots for NASA

ARMADAS showcases autonomous space construction robots for NASA
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 18, 2024
NASA's innovative approach to building large-scale infrastructure in space has reached a new milestone with the Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS). This cutting-edge project, developed by a dedicated team at NASA's Ames Research Center, is geared towards meeting the critical needs of future long-duration and deep-space missions.

Christine Gregg, the ARMADAS chief engineer at NASA Ames, emphasized the importance of this development: "The ground assembly experiment demonstrated crucial parts of the system: the scalability and reliability of the robots, and the performance of structures they build. This type of test is key for maturing the technology for space applications."

At its core, ARMADAS utilizes a trio of inchworm-like robots to autonomously assemble, repair, and reconfigure structures from structural building blocks, tailored for a range of space hardware systems. This ability is pivotal for missions targeting the Moon, Mars, and beyond, where long-term presence is the goal. Notably, these robots can operate in orbit, on lunar surfaces, or other planets even before human arrival, underscoring their significance for deep-space exploration.

The recent laboratory demonstration of ARMADAS technology at NASA Ames saw these robots autonomously construct a meter-scale shelter structure, similar in size to a small shed, using hundreds of building blocks. The structure's high strength, stiffness, and low mass are comparable to today's leading structures like long bridges, aircraft wings, and even the International Space Station's trusses, marking a significant advancement in the field of robotically reconfigurable structures.

Kenny Cheung, the principal investigator of ARMADAS at NASA Ames, elaborated on the project's innovative aspects: "'Mission adaptive' capabilities allow a system to be reused for multiple purposes... 'Digital assembly systems' refers to the use of discrete building blocks, as a physical analog to the digital systems that we use today."

These building blocks, or voxels, are made from strong and lightweight composite materials, fashioned into a cuboctahedron shape. They not only offer surprising strength and stiffness but also ensure material efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The scalability of the ARMADAS system allows for the construction of structures of various sizes, limited only by the number of building blocks supplied.

The ARMADAS project also emphasizes the reliability and simplicity of the robots. Gregg pointed out the unique approach: "We turn that problem on its head by making very simple and reliable robots that operate in an extremely structured lattice environment."

During the demonstration, the robots showcased remarkable coordination. Two robots moved in an inchworm style along the structure's exterior, handling one voxel at a time. One fetched voxels from a supply station, while the other placed each voxel in its intended location. A third robot followed, securing each new voxel to the structure. This process highlights the system's autonomy and the ability to self-correct without external measurement tools.

Looking ahead, the ARMADAS team plans to expand the variety of voxel types to include solar panels, electrical connections, shielding, and more. This expansion is set to dramatically increase the system's applications, allowing the robots to tailor structures to specific needs and locations.

The ARMADAS project not only enhances the capabilities of equipment sent for deep space exploration missions but also extends their operational lifespan. By enabling the disassembly and repurposing of space structures, ARMADAS embodies a sustainable approach to space exploration, aligning with NASA's vision for a long-term presence in space.