ISRO tests robotic arms and plant growth in space

ISRO’s PSLV-C60/SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) mission, launching on December 30, 2024, is all about high-level experiments these are aimed to enable India’s ambitions in human spaceflight and exploration missions such as Chandrayaan-4. While the SPADEX satellite docking is a first step towards space station assembly technology, ISRO is also testing several other devices that can be used in what ISRO hopes will be the planned ‘Bharatiya Antariksh Station’ receive be fully functional by 2035.

ISRO plans to launch the first module of the space station by 2028 and gradually expand it by docking additional modules. It is intended as a robotic space station first, what will later be able to accommodate astronauts.

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Here are the exciting experiments that ISRO centers are launching on board the POEM or PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM):

Walking robotic arm

ISRO’s Thiruvananthapuram-based ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) has already developed Vyommitra, a humanoid robot that will fly on the unmanned test flights of Gaganyaan. However, the walking robot arm is an attempt to create a walking robot arm that moves like a worm.

“In the microgravity environment of space, every free object floats. That’s why we wanted to build and demonstrate a robotic arm that can walk around in space. We have placed a few grasping points on the experimental platform and the robot arm is connected to them.” On command, the robot arm can move like a worm – with the tail now attached to one grasping point, its head can move to the next grasping point and attach itself there Point, the tail can detach and move freely. With multiple grab points spread across India’s proposed space station, “we can try to use a ‘walking robotic arm’ to move and perform various functions including operating systems and carrying out repairs etc,” said Padmakumar, director of ISRO’s IISU, told WION.

He added that this 1 meter long robot arm designed specifically for the space environment and cannot be used on Earth. According to him, this walking robotic arm could serve various purposes in the future, such as carrying out repairs inside and outside the space station.

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“Normally, astronauts have to go out of the space station into the harsh and risky space environment to make some repairs. However, we assume that such walking robotic arms can do this.” one day take on part of this role. “Given the rate at which robotics and AI technology is advancing, this seems practical,” he explained.

Robotic manipulator for collecting debris

The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate, which was developed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, which focuses on developing space transportation systems capturing tethered (tethered but free-floating) debris using a robotic arm. Once in space, the robot arm performs “visual servoing” (a control technique that uses visual feedback from a camera to control a robot’s movement) and captures the tethered object floating freely in space.

“There are various applications of can capture an object in space with a robotic arm. It can be used to capture pieces of free-floating space debris. “It can be used to capture a satellite, repair it and perform satellite refueling,” said Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, ISRO, told WION. According to ISRO, this robotic arm will be capable of capturing free-floating debris and refueling tethered and free-floating spacecraft in future POEM missions.

Lead-free experimental system (LEXS)

has lead been traditional Used in soldering (joining pieces of metal or wire together using a metal mixture). That means heated and melted). The main reasons for using lead in soldering are its desirable properties such as low melting point, reliability and ease of use, which make it suitable for a wide range of applications in electronics, aerospace, electrical wiring, etc.

However, despite its effectiveness, the use of lead in soldering has been increasingly restricted due to the health risks associated with lead exposure and environmental concerns.

The RoHS directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), which was The law passed by the European Union in 2003 restricts the use of lead and other hazardous substances in electronic products.

ISRO’s VSSC has developed a DC-DC converter that uses lead-free (RoHS compliant) components and processes. The aim is to demonstrate and evaluate the reliability and functionality of a RoHS-compliant system in a microgravity environment.

“Our goal is to test this new system The harsh Conditions of Space. Once proven to work in space, it can be adopted into our processes on Earth as well as“This improves our compliance with electronics industry-recognized practices,” explained Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, told WION.

Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS)

The CROPS payload developed by VSSC is intended as a multi-phase platform for this develop and further develop ISRO’s capabilities for growing and maintaining flora in extraterrestrial environments.

Designed as a fully automated system, a one-week experiment is planned Demonstration of seed germination and plant nutrition to the two-leaf stage in a zero gravity environment. The experiment involves growing eight cowpea seeds in a closed box environment with active thermal control.

Passive measurements including camera imaging, O2 and CO2 concentrations, relative humidity (RH), temperature and soil moisture monitoring are available surveillance Plant growth.

“Plant growth in the microgravity environment of space is drastically different from that on Earth. On Earth we have gravity, whereas in space the plant sprout does not have to have it.” against Gravity. This is our attempt at space farming. “This will be of great use when we have our own functioning space station with astronauts on board,” explained Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, ISRO, told WION.

Reaction wheel assembly (RWA)

A reactionl is a crucial component in the attitude control system (ACS) of satellites. It helps control and stabilize the spacecraft’s orientation (attitude) in space without relying on thrusters or external forces.

According to the mission requirement, The satellite has to align itself with it a specific direction, and reaction wheels help achieve this. This payload, developed by IISU, is intended to study the attitude stabilization of the POEM platform.

“All our satellites are controlled by reaction wheels. If the wheels turn In one direction the satellite moves in the opposite direction. This time, we have manufactured these reaction wheels using off-the-shelf electronics, which helps in reducing the overall cost of the device and making it affordable for colleges and startups,” IISU Director Padmakumar told WION.