GITAI launches autonomous robotic arms for ISS external operations

GITAI launches autonomous robotic arms for ISS external operations
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 22, 2024

In a groundbreaking move poised to redefine the dynamics of space station robotics, California's innovative startup, GITAI, has embarked on a mission to test its cutting-edge autonomous robotic arm system, dubbed S2, on the International Space Station (ISS). This technological marvel, consisting of a 1.5-meter long pair of mechanical arms, was transported to the orbiting lab aboard Northrop Grumman's 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission (NG-20) in January, under the auspices of an ISS National Laboratory-sponsored tech development project.

Designed with versatility at its core, the S2 system is engineered to perform a plethora of tasks crucial for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) activities within the extraterrestrial environment. The forthcoming months are set to witness a series of rigorous demonstrations, where these robotic arms will be operationalized on the station's exterior, leveraging a commercial airlock crafted by Nanoracks-a key player in Voyager Space's Exploration Segment.

The integration of the Nanoracks airlock, a significant addition to the ISS since 2020, is expected to substantially augment the station's capacity for space-based research and technology development. This module facilitates the seamless transfer of payloads between the ISS's internal and external environments, heralding a new era of operational efficiency and scientific exploration.

GITAI's founder and CEO, Sho Nakanose, expressed enthusiasm about the collaborative endeavor, highlighting the pivotal role of the ISS National Lab and Nanoracks in bringing the S2 mission to fruition. Nakanose underscored the demonstration's criticality in validating the operational viability of GITAI's robotics technology, which, upon achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, would mark a significant milestone towards providing comprehensive in-space servicing and manufacturing solutions to both governmental and commercial entities.

S2 is not GITAI's inaugural foray into space-based robotics. Its predecessor, S1, which was launched in 2021, successfully executed a series of intravehicular activities and space assembly tasks, laying the groundwork for the advanced capabilities showcased by S2. This evolution underscores GITAI's commitment to enhancing the automation and efficiency of space operations, an endeavor that resonates with the ISS's existing reliance on robotic systems such as the European Robotic Arm and Canadarm2 for payload transportation and equipment servicing.

Mary Murphy, Nanoracks' director of programs, emphasized the transformative potential of S2, noting its capacity to undertake tasks in environments deemed too perilous for human astronauts. The automation and tool-switching capabilities of the robotic system, including the use of screwdriver analogs, represent a leap forward in reducing in-space labor costs and augmenting astronaut safety.

More than 20 ISS National Lab-sponsored payloads launched on the NG-20 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on January 30 at 12:07 p.m. EST. To learn about all the ISS National Lab-sponsored research on this mission, please visit our launch page.