TETHERS UNLIMITED, INC. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: Z4

Description

NASA has identified the need for a palletizing system to support transport, emplacement and exchange of sub-modules in the 1-100 kg range.nbsp; This need correlates to NASArsquo;s Technology Roadmaps in the publication entitled, ldquo;Space Assembly of Large Structural System Architecture (SALSSA)rdquo;.nbsp; In support of this need, Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) proposes to leverage its HyperBus ldquo;Space as a Servicerdquo; platform to create a palletized system that is capable of supporting transport, emplacement, and exchange of sub-modules in the 1-100 kg range. The HyperBus Cargo will utilize a ldquo;double deckerrdquo; configuration of TUIrsquo;s HyperBus platform in conjunction with NanoRacksrsquo; KABER (24U) ISS and ENRCSD (36U) Cygnus satellite deployers to create a low cost, rapid deployment palletizing cargo transportation system, which will set a new standard for customer experience in the small satellite industry.nbsp; During the HyperBus Cargo program effort (Phase I and II), TUI personnel will evaluate multiple Concepts of Operations (ConOps) for the Cargo system, identify a complete set of requirements, develop a concept design, fabricate a prototype, and demonstrate the Cargo system in TUIrsquo;s robotics laboratory.