SPIDER Robot to Assemble Spacecraft Components While On-Orbit

Robots are going to do many things for us in the space in the future. Maxar’s SPIDER (Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot) will be used to robotically assemble spacecraft components. Maxar has been selected by NASA to take on this task. Here is how it will work:

SPIDER will enable spacecraft components to be robotically assembled and reconfigured while on-orbit. For Restore-L, SPIDER will assemble multiple antenna reflector elements into one large antenna reflector. SPIDER will also demonstrate in-space manufacturing using Tethers Unlimited’s MakerSat. MakerSat will manufacture a 10-meter lightweight composite beam, verifying its capability to form large spacecraft truss structures for future missions

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