Researchers Developing AI Robots That Can Repair Orbiting Satellites

A professor and his team of researchers are looking to develop new robotic technology that can repair and salvage stranded satellites in low-Earth orbit. If successful, the project could serve as a solution to the growing problem of space debris around the planet.

Usually, when satellites run out of fuel or get damaged during their missions, they are left floating aimlessly in space. Most of these end up joining the hundreds of thousands of space junk pieces around Earth. Some of them, on the other hand, get pulled by Earth’s gravity, causing them to burn up in the atmosphere and crash.

Ou Ma, a professor at the University of Cincinnati is hoping to change the usual fate of satellites by developing robots that are capable of carrying out repairs and other maintenance procedures in low-Earth orbit.

According to Ma, he intends to develop robotic satellites that will work as a team to repair other satellites. He was able to test this concept through a simple game that involves moving a small token across a desk using strings. For the game, each of the strings attached to the token is controlled by one robot.

Using artificial intelligence, Ma and his team were able to program the robots to work together in order to move the token. Although moving a token across a flat surface is much easier than carrying out repairs in space, Ma noted that the same concept applies to both scenarios.

As explained by the professor, the robots can be programmed with learning capabilities that will enable them to work together in order to carry out precise movements necessary for repairing something in space.

“To grab something in space is really difficult. And grabbing something that’s tumbling in space is even more difficult,” Ma said in a press release. “You have to be very careful to predict the dynamic behavior and perform precise controls so you can 'de-tumble' the satellite and gently grab it.”

In order for the robots to work successfully, they will be equipped with a number of sensors, cameras and thrusters. These components will ensure that they will be able to maneuver properly in space to repair satellites.

If all goes well for Ma and his team, these robots could go into space to assist satellites in their operations. Details of their study regarding the robot satellites were presented in a new paper published in the journal Robotica.