Just like the way we have specialized doctors for different ailments, satellites that fall beyond the purview of ground-based repair systems will soon have a dedicated repair vehicle, the Autonomous Space Servicing Vehicle (ASSV). Developed by the brains at Queens University, the vehicle will first identify the faulty ones, determine its motion and then pace itself to match up with that motion before it can get a hold on them for repairs. The team here will then communicate through the vehicle and do the necessary repairs.
A software is also being developed and it will help the vehicle in identifying and tracking down satellite malfunctions. The research team is partnering with a famous aerospace company, MDA Space Missions, to realize this venture, which is yet confined to laboratory environments. The recommended sensor system would that be of LIDAR (light-based radar) since video cameras fail to stand the harsh lighting conditions in space.
Via: ScienceDaily
