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CSIRO successfully delivered an innovative 3D mapping technology package to the International Space Station (ISS). This cutting-edge system marks a pivotal advancement in space technology, promising to revolutionise navigation and task execution aboard the orbiting laboratory.
As space exploration expands, the need for efficient inventory tracking, damage assessment, and emergency response in off-Earth environments becomes more evident. With lunar and Martian missions looming, where crew time is limited and some facilities may be uncrewed, the demand for accurate autonomous systems is critical. Additionally, rovers and robots exploring extraterrestrial terrain rely on precise mapping data for effective navigation.
In response to these challenges, CSIRO has developed a fused sensor system for autonomous 3D scanning in collaboration with an international air and space tech company, NASA Ames Research Centre, and the ISS National Laboratory. Originally designed for terrestrial applications like remote mine site access, this technology is now set to be demonstrated aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The multi-resolution scanning payload will be integrated into an Astrobee robot platform, which supports astronaut activities on the ISS. This marks the first time a single piece of technology will utilise both payload bays of an Astrobee robot simultaneously.
Once deployed on the ISS, the multi-resolution scanner will conduct experiments, including full internal scans, beginning with the Japanese experimental module (Kibō). The data collected will support tasks such as inventory analysis, traditionally requiring human intervention, demonstrating the potential for autonomous caretaker functions on uncrewed spacecraft.
The culmination of extensive research and collaboration, this groundbreaking payload is poised to enhance the efficiency and safety of astronauts working on the ISS. Integrated into Astrobee, a versatile robot platform developed by NASA, the 3D mapping device is primed to generate detailed three-dimensional maps of the space station, surpassing previous mapping capabilities with unprecedented accuracy.
Dr. Marc Elmouttie, Research Group Leader at CSIRO, highlighted the overarching goal of this mission, stating, “Our objective is to demonstrate the efficacy of our technology in providing enhanced 3D sensing and mapping for robotics systems on spacecraft.”
This advanced mapping capability holds immense potential for streamlining operations within the ISS, enabling precise tracking of inventory movement and facilitating optimal planning of onboard activities for astronauts and mission controllers.
The technology behind this groundbreaking payload combines two pioneering CSIRO innovations – Stereo-Depth Fusion and Wildcat Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping. This synergy produces high-quality data about the surrounding environment and the device’s movements in space, offering unparalleled insights into spatial dynamics within the ISS.
Developed in collaboration with an international air and space tech company, with support from the ISS National Laboratory and NASA Ames Research Centre, this project underscores CSIRO’s commitment to innovation in remote operations and aerospace manufacturing. Leveraging its expertise in these domains, CSIRO aims to propel space exploration into new frontiers by advancing the capabilities of robotic systems in space environments.
Dr. Ryan Reeves, Technical Director of Research and Innovation for the ISS National Laboratory, emphasised the significance of testing such innovative technologies in low Earth orbit. He noted that these endeavours play a crucial role in shaping the future of space commerce and exploration, driving advancements that will pave the way for unprecedented scientific breakthroughs.
With the successful delivery of the 3D mapping payload to the ISS, the stage is set for a new era of space exploration. The device’s integration into the Astrobee platform marks the beginning of extensive experimentation and validation of its capabilities in the unique microgravity environment of the space station.
As the payload undergoes its first experimentation run in the Japanese Kibō module, anticipation runs high among scientists and engineers involved in the project. This milestone achievement represents a collaborative triumph in space technology, underlining the collective efforts of CSIRO, NASA and the international air and space tech company in advancing the frontiers of human knowledge and exploration beyond Earth’s boundaries.
