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>>BEN: We are developing the technology to be able to go to
a satellite, and have a robot refuel it. The ability
to refuel, repair, and relocate
satellites in orbit can be applied to
scientific missions that are looking out at stars; it can be
applied to weather satellites that save thousands of lives a year and
billions of dollars in predicting storms; to communication;
search and rescue; to the International Space Station, helping astronauts
explore our solar system. >>MARION: Those satellites, their
life is limited by the amount of fuel they have. So if we can
bring fuel to them, we can have their lives extended.
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>>MATT: So this test is the technology development test, and what we're doing here is
proving and maturing technologies required for satellite servicing.
>>ALEX: So there are several things new and unique about this test itself. The first
was that I was controlling the robot remotely from Greenbelt, Maryland while the robot was
located down at Kennedy Space Center. The second was this was the first time
we were actually transferring a hazardous fluid. The Robotic Refueling Mission
on the Space Station transferred ethanol, which isn't a hazardous fluid and it's
not actually a component of satellite fuel. >>BEN: On the International
Space Station, we wanted to be sure to be safe around the astronauts.
>>MATT: Here, what we're doing now is using actual spacecraft propellant.
>>BRIAN: It's a very dangerous fluid, very deadly fluid. That's why
we'll be in personal protective equipment, these full-assembly
SCAPE suits, and that protects the people in the suit from any sort of
exposure. ...
>>ALEX: So on the day of the test, I used the tool on the robot to attach to a satellite
fill drain valve, where we then transferred fluid through the tool
and into the satellite valve, simulating a refueling task.
>>MATT: So as a tool designer, during the test, we need to make sure the tool is operating as we expect.
So we sit right next to the robot operators, as they're driving the robot,
we're looking at video, we're looking at telemetry, making sure that the tool is behaving
as expected. >>ALEX: Operating the robotic arm remotely feels,
it actually kinda feels a lot like a video game, because I'll have two joy-sticks in front of me that I'll be using
to control the robot. And while it's moving very slowly, I'm looking at tool cameras in front of
me, that show the end of the robot itself.
>>MARION: Kennedy was commissioned to design and build the propellant transfer
assembly, because they have such expertise in propellants.
We, here at Goddard, have expertise in robotics. >>BRIAN: We have a great
relationship with Goddard and a great team here at KSC and up at Goddard
working on the development of these new technologies.
[ Cheering ] >>BEN: The testing went nominal,
we couldn't be more pleased. But that doesn't mean we're done, not by a long shot.
>>MATT: We're going to take the lessons learned from here, integrate them into new
technologies, and do a complete end-to-end refueling test.
>>BEN: I feel just great, so satisfied
knowing that the capabilities that we are helping to develop
are going to be able to be applied to so many meaningful
missions that NASA works on.
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