- SPHERES
The Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) experiment is a
testbed consisting of three 8-inch diameterminiaturized satellite s that can operate in a variety of environments, including inside theInternational Space Station (ISS). TheMIT Space Systems Laboratory developed the experiment to provide the Air Force andNASA with a long term, replenishable, and upgradable testbed for formation flight. It will be used to validate high risk control,metrology , andautonomy technologies. The technologies are critical to the operation of distributed satellite and docking missions such as TechSat21,Starlight ,Terrestrial Planet Finder , andOrbital Express . The SPHERES concept was inspired by the Training Remotes fromStar Wars [ [http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/01jun_spheres.htm?list79204 NASA - Droids on the ISS ] ]Description
To approximate the dynamics presented by these missions, the testbed consists of three
miniaturized satellites , microsatellites or "spheres," which can control their relative positions and orientations, and is operable on a 2-D laboratory platform, NASA'sKC-135 , and theInternational Space Station . The testbed is being developed jointly by theMIT Space Systems Laboratory andPayload Systems , Inc., with funding from the Department of Defense and several NASA centers.The battery-powered, 8-inch diameter spherical satellites fly within the ISS cabin using carbon dioxide to fuel 12 thrusters.]
Timeline
Three SPHERES vehicles were delivered to the International Space Station. The first vehicle, along with a limited supply of consumables and support equipment, arrived at the station aboard Progress flight ISS-21P, and single-vehicle tests and experiments began on May 18, 2006. The second vehicle arrived with a much larger supply of consumables aboard Space Shuttle flight
STS-121 . The final vehicle and consumable supply were delivered to the station on Space Shuttle flightSTS-116 .On
April 27 ,2007 , ISSExpedition 15 flight engineerSunita Williams performed a series of test flights with the satellites.References
See also
*
Artificial intelligence
*Microgravity
*Robotics
*Roomba
*Electromagnetic Formation Flight (EMFF) External links
* [http://ssl.mit.edu/ MIT Space Systems Lab]
* [http://www.payload.com/ Payload Systems Inc.]
* [http://ssl.mit.edu/spheres/index.html SPHERES] (official website)
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