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Self-Assembling Wireless Autonomous Reconfigurable Modules (SWARM)

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNM07AA22C
Agency Tracking Number: 054525
Amount: $599,930.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: X8.02
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-12-04
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-11-30
Small Business Information
247 Third Street
Cambridge, MA 02142-1129
United States
DUNS: 139378731
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Joseph Parrish
 Principal Investigator
 (617) 868-8086
 parrish@payload.com
Business Contact
 Scott Hart
Title: Contracts Administrator
Phone: (617) 868-8086
Email: hart@payload.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Payload Systems Inc. and the MIT Space Systems Laboratory propose Self-assembling, Wireless, Autonomous, Reconfigurable Modules (SWARM) as an innovative approach to modular fabrication and in-space robotic assembly of large scale systems. Fabrication of modular components yields fabrication savings associated with large production volume and automated integration and test. In-space assembly permits staged deployment on an as-needed, as-afforded basis. It also decouples stowed launch geometry from deployed operational geometry. The SWARM concept uses formation flown spacecraft, containing multiple universal docking ports, to dock with modular elements and maneuver them to dock with other, similar elements. In the process, systems can be assembled that are much larger than what can be fit or folded into a launch vehicle fairing, or what can be launched on a single vehicle. Furthermore, such modularity will allow jettison of failed components, upgrade of obsolete technology, and amortization of design costs across multiple missions. In Phase I, we demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for a simplified telescope assembly on the flat-floor at MSFC. In Phase II, we will develop the hardware and software elements necessary to demonstrate, on a flat-floor, the modular assembly and reconfiguration of systems representative of trans-planetary spacecraft and large telescope assembly.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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