MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Inc.|MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Inc.

Purpose

An objective of humanity’s return to the Moon is to establish a sustained human presence. Mobility platforms equipped with capable robotic arms enables the creation of essential infrastructure and expands the tasks, capabilities, and science that astronauts can perform. Mass and cost are key drivers for systems that will operate on the Moon. This Space Technology Develop Program (STDP) funded project will develop a novel End of Arm Compliance Mechanism (ECM) that will allow a robotic arm to perform first of a kind payload handling and installation operations equivalent to that of a 6 joint arm with only 4 joints. This results in a best in class product that is less complex, lighter, less expensive, more compact, and has a larger handling capacity than existing planetary arms. This program includes the mechanical design, development, assembly and test of an Engineering Model in a relevant environment (e.g. regolith, TVAC), advancing the technology readiness level (TRL) from 4 to 6 over 14 months. This proposed development will enable a commercially competitive robotic system that will position Canada to have a strong role in the emerging lunar economy.