Speaker
Description
Autonomous robotic grasping systems capable of handling a wide variety of objects in space are a key enabler for future In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) and Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions, where flexible interaction with unprepared or uncooperative targets is often required. However, conventional capture solutions often rely on predefined docking interfaces, high-precision alignment, and controlled approach trajectories, limiting their operational flexibility. To address these limitations, Adaptronics has developed the Space-grade Electro-Active Adhesive Layer (SpacEAAL), a thin-film technology that becomes adhesive on demand through electrostatic forces and provides integrated sensing for proximity and contact detection.
This presentation showcases a compact and lightweight SpacEAAL-based gripper for versatile satellite capture. The system combines electro-adhesion, structural compliance, and integrated sensing to enable robust and non-invasive interaction with a wide range of target objects, including unprepared and uncooperative spacecraft.
The presentation highlights the experimental campaign conducted at ESA ESTEC’s Orbital Robotics Laboratory, showcasing the system’s performance on the ORBIT planar frictionless facility under representative conditions.
The results indicate robust and repeatable behaviour, supporting the potential of SpacEAAL-based systems as a flexible and scalable solution for future ISAM applications.