Self-configuring cube ensembles
Self-assembling and self-configuring structures are an intriguing technology for future space missions, with the potential to completely revolutionise how we explore our solar system. The idea is rather simple: instead of launching assembled structures that unfold their components after launch, structures are decomposed into small components that can be safely and easily launched into space. Once there, an autonomous process is started that assembles the full structure, enabling the construction of large space infrastructure such as habitats and telescope mirrors. Reconfiguration capabilities would further allow such structures to adjust to changing mission parameters as well as conditions in the environment, e.g., to perform autonomous self-repair.
Prominent examples of such technologies and concepts are mega-structures constructed from satellite swarms [1], the TESSERAE project for habitat construction [2], Origami techniques for self-assembly [3,4], and robot swarms such as pivotable cubes [5].
Project overview
In this study, we explore a variety of methods from artificial intelligence to enable the autonomous reconfiguration of pivoting cube ensembles. A particular focus will lie on developing decentralised control methods, where each cube locally accumulates information to make decisions. Although this study is restricted to only one system realising self-assembly and autonomous reconfigurability, we aim at extracting general algorithms and concepts that are applicable to other systems as well.
References:
[1] Pirat, Camille, et al. "Toward the Autonomous Assembly of Large Telescopes Using CubeSat Rendezvous and Docking." Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 59.2 (2022): 375-388.
[2] Ekblaw, Ariel, and Joseph Paradiso. "TESSERAE: Self-assembling shell structures for space exploration." Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia. Vol. 2018. No. 1. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS), 2018.
[3] https://webb.nasa.gov/content/features/origami.html
[4] https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/space-origami-make-your-own-starshade/
[5] https://hcie.csail.mit.edu/research/Electrovoxel/electrovoxel.html