Hardware

Maneuvering Spacecraft Bus - Interim Control Module
	Developed by the U. S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for NASA's International Space Station Sufficient payload on an evolved expendable launch vehicle for Ranger robotics, SM-4 servicing hardware, and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) flight support hardware Sufficient maneuvering capability for extensive coorbital operations, followed by HST deorbit or boost to disposal altitude Currently in bonded storage at NRL's Payload Processing Facility
Dexterous Robotics - Ranger Manipulators
	Developed by the University of Maryland for NASA as low-cost flight demonstration of dexterous telerobotics Designed to be capable of using extravehicular activity (EVA) interfaces and performing EVA tasks System passed through NASA Phase 0/1/2 Payload Safety Review Panel safety reviews for a space shuttle flight High-fidelity qualification arms have been in extended tests at the University of Maryland 70% of flight dexterous manipulator components are in bonded storage at the University of Maryland

Mission Scenario

The ICM with dexterous robotic manipulators and the required HST servicing hardware would launch on low-end evolved expendable launch vehilce. This configuration would rendezvous and dock to HST at the aft bulkhead HST berthing pins using high level supervisory control. The robotic manipulators then perform high-priority servicing tasks (replacement of rate sensor units [RSU] and batteries) and other targets of opportunity (e.g., SM4 instrument changeouts). HERA separates and moves into coorbital location to allow HST to perform nominal science data collection. During this time, HERA can be used as a robotics testbed. If needed, HERA can redock and service HST multiple times (providing periodic RSU replacements if necessary). At the end of HST's science mission, HERA redocks and performs the deorbit and disposal boost portion of the mission.

© 2003-2009 Space Systems Laboratory
last updated: 01 February 2005