Meet the Team: M.A.C.K.I.
The M.A.C.K.I. Project is a collaborative effort by eight students from the "PWr in Space" students association located at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The project focuses on addressing one of the most critical challenges in space today: the accumulation of orbital debris. Their innovative solution aims to develop and test a new gripping technology capable of capturing debris in space, contributing to the long-term sustainability of space activities. The experiment will take place on board NoveSpace’s Airbus A310 AirZeroG flying out of Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in November 2024.
The acronym M.A.C.K.I. stands for Microgravity Actuated Capturing Kinetic Instrument. The project is being undertaken by eight Polish master's students: Michał Kos, Wiktoria Mrowiec, Jakub Szwagierczak, Jakub Siuda, Konrad Zaprucki, Patryk Śliwa, Jacek Grzegorzewski, and Krzysztof Gliwiński.
At the heart of the project is an active entanglement gripper, a soft robotic device designed to grasp objects by entangling filaments around them. Unlike traditional hard gripping mechanisms, this soft robotic approach allows for greater flexibility and adaptability, making it suitable for the irregular shapes and sizes of debris found in orbit. The team's goal is to test how well this technology performs in microgravity, as space conditions present unique challenges not encountered on Earth.
To achieve this, the team designed an experimental setup that compares the performance of the gripper in both normal gravity and microgravity. The tests will involve three different test objects: an ideal object that provides a controlled, structured shape for predictable performance, a sphere designed to represent irregular, round debris, and a plant that simulates delicate, organic material. The test methods developed will allow the predictable performance of the gripper to be assessed.
The technical setup includes custom-designed electronics, a pneumatic system and stepper motors that allow the gripper to move along linear rails. This intricate design allows the team to control the gripper's movements and collect vital data during the tests. The data will then be analysed once all the flight tests have been completed, which will provide a detailed assessment of the gripper's feasibility for future space missions.
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