Robotic arm. Source: RPIEngineers at New York's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in collaboration with NASA, are attempting to develop a robot capable of refueling satellites in space before they become inoperable and inevitably add to mounting space debris.

The engineers are developing algorithms for controlling a 7 ft long robotic arm, built by Maxar Technologies, so that it can capture, transport and dock low-fuel satellites for refueling in space.

A model of the robotic arm being proposed for the task of capturing, transporting and refueling satellites is being tested under simulated space conditions in RPI’s Center for Automation Technologies and Systems Lab. There, the team is using an air-bearing configuration to simulate the model satellite floating above the surface in a zero-gravity, space-like environment while the robotic arm demonstrates the moves that its larger robotic arm space counterpart will need to accomplish in space.

Without human intervention in space, satellites — which are critical for the majority of technologies in use today such as communications, GPS and weather forecasting to name just a few — become inoperable once they run out of fuel. Rendered useless, the satellite components contribute to the increasing issue of space debris. To replace those satellites, typically new satellites are launched and the time-consuming and expensive process begins anew.

As such, the researchers believe that a robotic arm capable of refueling the satellites will save time, money and reduce the amount of space waste.

To see the robotic arm trials in the RPI lab, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of RPI.