Space Systems Loral (SSL) has reported that MDA US Systems, a division of MDA managed by SSL, was recognized by NASAÂ’s Johnson Space Center for its outstanding support of a robotic upgrade to the International Space StationÂ’s (ISS) power system which took place in January—the MDA team based in Houston played a critical role in planning and validating the robotic maneuvering both before and during the mission.
NASA JSC Ground Controllers used the 15-degrees-of-freedom Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (Dextre) arm to install six new 430-pound lithium-ion batteries in two power channel Integrated Electronics Assembly pallets. Dextre first removed twelve older and depleted 740-pound nickel-hydrogen batteries from the pallets, nine of which were put on the Japanese H-II Transfer VehicleÂ’s external pallet to burn up on re-entry with it.
By using the Dextre robotic arm, only two astronaut EVAs (Extravehicular Activities) were required to replace the batteries instead of six EVAs, which reduced the risk to the crew and freed up time for them to spend on important space science work. During the mission, MDAÂ’s Houston staff supported several weeks of two-shift days. The missionÂ’s success was the culmination of years of planning and preparation, and included coordination with multiple engineering disciplines and international partners.
Rich White, senior vice president of Government Systems at SSL, revealed that the SSL team was honored to be recognized by NASA for its contribution to this mission. “SSL and MDA have a long history of collaboration in robotics work for NASA and we continue to work together to design innovative advanced robotic augmentation and servicing systems for future missions.”
SSL and MDA have the ability to build on robotics technologies proven on the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, and Mars landers and rovers. The company is also working on a variety of next-generation government missions, including the Restore-L mission for NASAÂ’s Goddard Space Flight Center, which will demonstrate satellite servicing in Low Earth Orbit (LEO); NASAÂ’s Discovery Mission to explore the metal asteroid called Psyche; and the Dragonfly program for NASA and DARPA, which will demonstrate on orbit satellite assembly. SSL also announced earlier this month that it was selected to partner with DARPA on the RSGS robotic servicing in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) program.