```ad-question title: Question **Strategic Fit** - [x] Briefly explain your idea. - [x] How is your idea innovative? - [x] Explain who in Defence and/or Security might use your idea. There are a number of resources available on-line that might help e.g. [www.gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/), web pages for HM Armed Forces, information about Dstl programmes and strategy documents for various departments. Both Dstl and DE&S have on-line, publicly available magazines that may also assist. - [x] Identify a clear link to a user need or challenge. **Why does your idea offer advantages when compared to current solutions?** - [x] Why is your idea different to any current solutions? - [x] Explain what advantage(s) your idea might offer to Defence and/or Security Users. Advantages might include new or increased capability, decreased costs or time-saving measures. **Exploitation beyond the Project Plan** - [x] If we fund your project and it is successful, please explain how you will continue developing it beyond the scope of this proposal for Defence and Security, or how you plan to commercialise your work. - [x] How might your idea be integrated into existing systems and capabilities? ``` ```ad-todo title: Jo and Ralph said to address with these comments Identify a clear link to a user need or challenge. Stress that one can not buy this off-the-shelf. Agriculture or nuclear monitoring benefits. Exploitation beyond the Project Plan: - In regards to integration, one can talk about using current fairings as one example. ``` **Stategic Fit** ```ad-question title: - [x] Briefly explain your idea. ``` Unprecedented resolutions for space-based intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR) and Earth Observation (EO) will be enabled by optical apertures larger than the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), whose aperture is 6.5 m. However, launching and operating these next-generation of larger space telescopes in the extreme space environment poses practical challenges. One major current challenge is that very large mirrors (i.e. apertures larger than 3m) cannot be monolithically manufactured; this is one reason a segmented design was utilized on the JWST and is planned for future systems with primary mirror apertures of up to 100m. Further, even if such large primary mirrors could be made, it is impossible to stow them in the fairings of current and planned launch vehicles- SpaceX’s Starship is the largest launcher but has a 9 m fairing diameter. To overcome this volumetric challenge, the JWST exploited a deployables-based folded-wing design alongside a segmented mirrors design but this is infeasible for apertures as large as 25 m. This aperture size is particularly appealing as it enables 1m spatial resolution of a location on Earth from geostationary orbit (GEO), which this proposal's Chief Investigator has examined in prior work with Airbus and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). In this work, autonomous robotic on-orbit assembly (r-OOA) and rendezvous and berthing (RDv&B) were identified as essential technologies to achieving these high-resolution large optical telescopes at geostationary orbit (GEO) in the CI's prior work; a conceptual image of this is shown in the Figure 1 below. Note that the term "berthing" operation implies robotic capture of an incoming satellite. ![[Fig_1_DASA_Mission_Concept.png]] Such multi-satellite missions are also essential to achieve effective apertures using a constellatioin of satellites that may require formation flying (FF) capabilities; one example is evident in the MoD's planned Project Oberon comprising a constellations of SAR imagers, shown in the figure below: ![[Fig2_DSTL_Oberon.png]] Thus there are 3 essential technologies that need developing to achieve large or effective aperutres, namely: - r-OOA - RDV&B - FF In-orbit demonstrations of these 3 technologies are typically separate multi-million pound missions of their own- a process that requires specific hardware for each mission affected by slow iteration cycles. However, innovations in ground-based microgravity demonstrations offer cheaper and faster testing cycles prior to in-orbit operations; down-selection of proved technologies could also follow the priorities at the moment of time. This proposal aims to develop a ground-based facility towards developing and testing these technologies in a faster and cheaper manner than is currently unavailable in the UK. Another advantage of ground-based platforms is in its reusablity and extensibility: mockups of satellite simulators could be re-used in various mission scenarios such as orbital debris capture or servicing and refuelling of satellites. In summary, our idea is to develop a ground-based microgravity environment that is reusable and easily extensible in demonstrating three ISR-relevant technologies: r-OOA, RDv&D, and FF. An exemplar of such a ground-based demonstrator at the Naval Postgraduate School in California is shown in the Figure below; this will be explained in greater detail in "Feasibiilty". ![[Fig_3_DASA_NPS_Space_Robotics_Testbed.png]] The primary technical objectives of this proposal are as follows: 1. To develop a UK first testbed capable of microgravity dynamics and control of multi-body and multi-spacecraft systems; 2. To develop ground-based demonstrator that showcases robotic operations relevant towards in-space assembly of large optical apertures informed by our prior work on this specific challenge; 3. To extend this testbed towards constellation and FF demonstrators needed to achieve large effective apertures. ```ad-question title: - [x] How is your idea innovative? ``` The proposed idea is innovative because: 1. it will lead to the UK's first ground-based testbed capable of proving both orbital robotics and formation flying technologies accounting for microgravity dynamics; 2. it will be a world first lab-based demonstration of robotic in-space assembly capabilityies relevant to achieving large optical apertures; 3. demonstrating the relocatable autonomous robot proposed here will have ramifications in other orbital operations such as in-space servicing/manufacturing and active debris removal; this is indicated by our project's advisory members comprising various industry leaders in space robotics. ```ad-question title: - [ ] Explain who in Defence and/or Security might use your idea. There are a number of resources available on-line that might help e.g. [www.gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/), web pages for HM Armed Forces, information about Dstl programmes and strategy documents for various departments. Both Dstl and DE&S have on-line, publicly available magazines that may also assist. ``` The delivery of such ground-based demonstrators for ISR are clearly stated as a Priority in the DSS (item c, page 23). However, there are other reasons why Defence and Security would be interested in this idea: 1. The idea directly addresses presents Challenge 1 by developing innovative technologies essential to deploying large apertures for **fine resolution imaging** for Earth Observation from non-Low Earth Orbit (LEO), thus aligning itself to the Defence Strategy. 2. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has a keen interest in high-resolution surveillance capabilities; the proposed mission would provide a pathway towards realising persistent surveillance at 1 metre spatial resolution with a 25-metre large aperture telescope. 3. The developments proposed would further space technologies in themes set out by the [Defence Space Strategy](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-space-strategy-operationalising-the-space-domain) and the National Space Strategy. 4. The development of on-orbit robotics can be used in servicing, maintenance to extend the life of military space assets. They can also support debris removal missions to ensures safe operating environments for military satellites. 5. The UK-allied US Space Command identified two Chinese GEO satellites with robot arms (Shijian-17 and Shijian-21) as space-based weapons as they could grapple other satellites. Developing similar capabilities is in keeping with the DSS. Further, B. Chance Saltzman the first US Space Force Lieutenant General also believes a partnership with the UK Space Command would be "very fruitful over the years to come." Links to relevant news articles are provided in the References section. Some relevant weblinks: a. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/space/space-command-identifies-new-chinese-space-based-weapon b. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1516245/china-space-technology-threat-london-conference-nuclear-latest-news-ont c. https://eurasiantimes.com/china-says-its-powerful-robotic-snake-can-crush-enemy-satellites/ ```ad-question title: - [ ] Identify a clear link to a user need or challenge. ``` 1. The aforementioned Airbus-funded study indicates a user need for high resolution imagery; this research determined that autonomous orbital robotic manipulators are one of the main technologies needing development given that they can not be bought off-the-shelf. 2. This study also led to the conclusion that orbital robot arms would be the first technology demonstration mission on the roadmap towards; thus the work proposed to DASA would feed straight into developing such a mission. 3. Need for testbeds: Informal conversations with engineers in the UK space industry (e.g.,. MDA UK, ClearSpace) indicate a strong desire for UK-based access to air-bearing robotic simulators. ```ad-question title: **Why does your idea offer advantages when compared to current solutions?** - [ ] Why is your idea different to any current solutions? ``` The JWST is the largest optical imager that can be launched monolithically in a single launch vehicle; bringing it into operation in-orbit requires deployables. Building high-resolution space-based Earth imagers of 25m aperture cannot be achieved via deployable systems alone (though they are also needed)- they require robotics, which is what our proposal aims at developing. Further, our proposal focuses on their autonomy, which is remarkably different from the astronaut-controlled robotics used in assembling the ISS (International Space Station). Thus our idea is different because it focuses on developing autonomous on-orbit robotic assemblers, which are yet to be developed. From conversations with the UK space industry, the proposed idea to develop a ground-based demonstrator is unprecedented because there is no comparable facility here that they can exploit. Some of these companies we have engaged with have also expressed an interest in using such a facility, if available. Another reason the proposed idea is different that, beyond the scope of the call, we aim to integrate sensor payloads (e.g., antennas) into the simulator. Thus, it would expand to eventually test imager performance on a satellite in a space-relevant environment. ```ad-question title: - [ ] Explain what advantage(s) your idea might offer to Defence and/or Security Users. Advantages might include new or increased capability, decreased costs or time-saving measures. ``` Three advantages of our idea are: 1. A new capability in ground-based demonstration of microgravity robotic operations which we know UK-based industry lacks but desires access to. For example, MDA UK and ClearSpace have expressed an interest in using air-bearing simulators for orbital robotics experiments, which we aim to develop through this proposal. They could be an end-user of our facility in the UK. 2. Our idea also offers decreased cost for testing than in-orbit demonstrations. Access to such a ground-based facility also offers more rapid experimental data collection and insights than orbital demonstrations. 3. The proposed testbed can also be used towards other multi-satellite experiments such as formation flight needed for missions such as Project Oberon. ```ad-question title: **Exploitation beyond the Project Plan** - [ ] If we fund your project and it is successful, please explain how you will continue developing it beyond the scope of this proposal for Defence and Security, or how you plan to commercialise your work. - [ ] How might your idea be integrated into existing systems and capabilities? - How might your idea be integrated into existing systems and capabilities? ``` ```ad-hint collapse: closed title: Hints from [section 6] ## 6. Accelerating and exploiting your innovation It is important that over the lifetime of DASA competitions, ideas are matured and accelerated towards appropriate end-users to enhance capability. How long this takes will depend on the nature and starting point of the innovation. ### 6.1 A clear route for exploitation For DASA to consider routes for exploitation, ensure your deliverables are designed with the aim of making it as easy as possible for collaborators/stakeholders to identify the innovative elements of your proposal. All proposals to DASA should articulate the expected development in technology maturity of the potential solution over the lifetime of the contract and how this relates to improved capability against the current known (or presumed) baseline. ### 6.2 How to outline your exploitation plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/competition-space-to-innovate-campaign-charlie-drop/space-to-innovate-campaign-charlie-drop-competition-document#accelerating-and-exploiting-your-innovation) A higher technology maturity is expected in subsequent work. Include the following information to help the assessors understand your exploitation plans to date: - the intended Defence or Security users of your final product and whether you have previously engaged with them, their procurement arm or their research and development arm - awareness of, and alignment to, any existing end user procurement programmes - the anticipated benefits (for example, in cost, time, improved capability) that your solution will provide to the user - whether it is likely to be a standalone product or integrated with other technologies or platforms - expected additional work required beyond the end of the contract to develop an operationally deployable commercial product (for example, “scaling up” for manufacture, cyber security, integration with existing technologies, environmental operating conditions) - additional future applications and wider markets for exploitation - wider collaborations and networks you have already developed or any additional relationships you see as a requirement to support exploitation - how your product could be tested in a representative environment in later works - any specific legal, ethical, commercial or regulatory considerations for exploitation. ### 6.3 Is your exploitation plan long term? Long term studies may not be able to articulate exploitation in great detail, but it should be clear that there is credible advantage to be gained from the technology development. Include project specific information which will help exploitation. This competition is being carried out as part of a wider MOD programme and with cognisance of cross-Government initiatives. We may collaborate with organisations outside of the UK Government and this may provide the opportunity to carry out international trials and demonstrations in the future. The outputs of any supplier contracts may be shared in accordance with the rights secured under DEFCON 705, which may include sharing through the strategic relationship between Dstl and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. In addition the outputs may be shared with UK allied partners under the FVEYS (The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States) Defence community agreement TTCP (The Technical Cooperation Program) and the FVEYS intelligence community (SQUARE DANCE). ``` We will continue developing the idea beyond the scope of this proposal for Defence and Security in the following ways: 1. We have previously collaborated with D&S suppliers, SSTL and Airbus, on on-orbit robotics research for large optical telescopes, which we will continue to build upon. 2. We are currently in the process of agreeing an NDA with ClearSpace Ltd, who are addressing the space debris problem with robotics to secure the space environment which benefits military satellites. This will lead currently to collaborative resarch on ground-based demonstrators of space robotics systems. 3. We are also discussing the use of the testbed proposed here with UKAEA-RACE, who are partnering with Satellite Applications Catapult on future robotic on-orbit servicing of satellites. 4. We will also consider registering as a UK Plc with support from incubator programs (e.g., ESA BIC, Dstl incubator programs) to create an avenue to become commercial suppliers to the MoD. Thus this idea will be developed alongside a wide set of players in the UK space industry as they stand to gain from this research. Integration into existing systems and capabilities: - We are in discussions with the European Space Agency (ESA) on sharing space simulator designs, which will integrate with their work on orbital robotics. This is in part driven by our conversations with ClearSpace, who are based in London but rely on ground-based testing at ESA-ESTEC in Holland. - Prof. Yang Hao, co-I on this proposal, is a world-leading expert in antenna technology. Latter work packages of this proposal explore how his antennas research can be integrated with the spacecraft simulators developed via this proposal in a formation flying or constellation perspective. This would support evaluating the performance of antennas in a space-relevant testbed alongside formation flying algorithms for satellites.