PICKNIK INC. — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AF21S-TCSO1
PICKNIK INC. — STTR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
Phase I STTR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from Department of Defense in a technical approach.
- Watch for Phase II follow-ons from the same firm/topic family — that conversion path is where budgets and transition pressure rise.
- Obligated amount $249,994. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code AF21S-TCSO1 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $249,994
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Air Force
- Program / Phase
- STTR · Phase I
- Topic
- AF21S-TCSO1
- Solicitation
- X21.S
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CO
- Period
- 2022-08-09 → 2023-01-09
Description
The focus of the proposed work is on capturing and manipulation of objects in orbit using robotic arms. This is a difficult problem because the motions of such objects can be estimated online, but are hard to predict exactly over long time horizons. Fast computational methods are needed to safely approach such objects. Typically, capture depends on fixtures to, e.g., enable a robotic arm to grapple a satellite. The interaction between the arm and fixture is subject to geometric, kinematic, and dynamic constraints. We propose a software solution for planning and control based on the Robot Operating System (ROS) 2, which forms the basis for Space ROS, the flight hardened robotics software infrastructure for space. This proposed development will enable enhanced control for on-orbit capture of space assets and increase the overall efficiency and safety of Space Force operations. The core technology is agnostic to specific robot hardware and has already been demonstrated on a variety of robots performing a range of tasks (e.g., door/drawer opening, surface inspection, grasping objects). We are leading the development of MoveIt, the manipulation and planning framework in ROS.