Sydney leads $2.3M project for autonomous in-orbit satellite maintenance

These efforts are supported by SmartSat CRC and several industry partners based in New South Wales, including Abyss Solutions, ANT61, Space Machines Company, Sperospace, and Spiral Blue.

What is In-Situ Autonomous Maintenance (ISAM)?

The project, known as In-Situ Autonomous Maintenance (ISAM), comes at a crucial time as the number of satellites and spacecraft in orbit escalates rapidly. With this surge, the risk of malfunctions and collisions also increases, necessitating innovative solutions for servicing and upgrading satellites in space to extend their operational lifespans.

Dr. Wu emphasizes the importance of establishing foundational Australian capabilities in ISAM, asserting that this endeavor will meet Australia’s future sovereign needs and equip local companies with advanced technologies, positioning them competitively in the global ISAM and broader space industry.

The project’s significance is underscored by Professor Andy Koronios, Chief Executive Officer of SmartSat CRC, who highlights the critical role of ISAM technologies in enabling Australia to participate in the emerging global supply chain for satellite maintenance.

The ISAM project will focus on four key technology areas critical for developing autonomous robotic maintenance crews in space. First and foremost, the initiative aims to implement high-level, AI-driven onboard automation tailored for mission operations in outer space’s unforgiving and harsh conditions.

In addition to AI-driven automation, the project will address the need for advanced sensing capabilities. The goal is to develop sensors that can detect distant objects and navigate challenging lighting conditions, providing the robotic maintenance crews with the necessary awareness and precision for their tasks.

This aspect of the project acknowledges the complexity of space environments and the importance of reliable sensing for successful satellite servicing.

Furthermore, the ISAM project recognizes the need for fault-tolerant navigation systems. With the limited hardware and computational resources available in space, accurate detection and tracking of small objects become paramount.

The development of navigation systems capable of fault tolerance ensures the robustness and reliability required for in-orbit repairs and maintenance missions, contributing to the overall success of the autonomous satellite maintenance initiative.

Lastly, the project will focus on implementing safe control strategies. Stabilizing servicing satellites during robotic manipulator operations is crucial to preventing damage to the spacecraft. Adopting safe control strategies ensures that the maintenance crews can execute their tasks without compromising the structural integrity of the satellites they are servicing.

By addressing these four technology areas comprehensively, the ISAM project aims to develop a holistic set of capabilities for autonomous orbital robotics.

These capabilities are essential for meeting commercial, civil, and defense needs and position Australia as a critical player in the emerging $US14.3 billion global market for in-situ autonomous satellite maintenance.

Demonstrating the feasibility of future all-Australian satellite servicing

The University of Sydney will receive $1.05 million in funding from SmartSat CRC for this project, with the remaining amount being contributed in-kind by the University and its industry partners.

This collaborative effort aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies and demonstrate the feasibility of future all-Australian satellite servicing missions.

The initiative builds upon the expertise of the University’s partners, each specializing in unique aspects of robotics, AI, and space technology. Abyss Solutions focuses on AI-based perception for autonomous inspections in challenging environments, while ANT61 specializes in semi-autonomous control of robotic systems.

Space Machines Company is known for spacecraft transportation and servicing, Sperospace for cold welding and robotic manipulators, and Spiral Blue for edge computing hardware and application management software.

By pushing the boundaries of space technology and collaboration, this project promises to extend the lifespan of satellites, ensure the continued functionality of critical space infrastructure, and position Australia as a key player in the global space industry.