MDA SKYMAKER™ in the Making

As the space industry continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, MDA Space is at the forefront of innovation. Through our peerless experience in space robotics and ongoing robotics systems product development, we’ve been designing and testing modular and scalable space robotics systems, derived from iconic Canadarm technology, to support a wide range of space missions. Our goal is to provide innovative solutions for space exploration and infrastructure, and MDA SKYMAKER™, our suite of commercial robotic products and services, is a prime example of this effort.

A Key Element of NASA’s Artemis Program

MDA Space is proud to be part of the Lunar Dawn team, with prime contractor Lunar Outpost and teammates General Motors, Leidos and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, who are working to develop a human-rated lunar rover as part of NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) program. The Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) is a key element that will expand the reach of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, driving scientific discovery, technological innovation, and paving the way for human exploration of Mars and beyond.

In less than one month from start to finish, MDA Space developed and delivered a functional ground prototype MDA SKYMAKER™ robotic arm for integration with the Lunar Terrain Vehicle prototype rover. The short delivery timeline was enabled by the maturity of our robotics software, our team of seasoned space robotics experts, and our product-based approach to development.

Rising to the Challenge

The MDA Space team worked closely with Lunar Outpost and the Lunar Dawn partners to integrate the prototype MDA SKYMAKER™ robotic arm quickly with the LTV rover. Our team of space robotics experts leveraged our existing product development work to create a tailored solution that integrated seamlessly with the LTV rover.

Steven Lawrence, Int. Member of Technical Staff, configured the system to work remotely in an offline environment. Meanwhile, Brayden Kent, Member of Technical Staff, and Robert Lucas, Staff Member of Technical Staff, tuned the control system and developed scripts to both deploy the arm and execute the required motions. Jonathan Quirino, Sr. Advanced Electro-Mechanical Assembly and Test, machined key arm components, while the mechanical team crafted weather-resistant housing for the control box, and the electrical team created the cable harness to connect to the LTV power system.

A Milestone Achievement: Field Demonstration

During the first field test of the MDA SKYMAKER™ prototype robotic arm in the MDA Space HQ parking lot, the arm successfully demonstrated its capabilities, ensuring robust operations. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the team commanded the arm to deploy, and it sprang to life, waving a Canadian flag.

“It was a frigid January winter evening, and the Moon was becoming visible in the sky. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting backdrop since the MDA SKYMAKER™ arm will one day play a crucial role in exploring the Moon’s cold, harsh terrain,” said Brayden Kent.

Testing and Demonstrations

The MDA SKYMAKER™ prototype robotic arm was deployed to multiple locations across the United States where it underwent rigorous testing and demonstration, displaying its capabilities to partners and customers. The arm’s performance was flawless, sparking excitement and curiosity among astronauts, engineers, and the space community.

In March, the MDA SKYMAKER™ robotic arm showcased its capabilities at the General Motors Warren Technical Center in Michigan, where the Lunar Dawn team had gathered. The team presented a mixed reality demo of the rover, featuring a virtual arm that NASA representatives could manipulate. The demo also included an interactive experience, where participants could try their hand at controlling the MDA SKYMAKER arm to deposit Moon rock samples into a target container.

The following month, the arm exhibited its ability to manipulate lunar regolith simulant at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO. It completed a variety of operational scenarios in lunar regolith simulant, including digging trenches, collecting soil and rock samples, and depositing samples into containers, all key demonstrations in the progression towards the LTVS Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Lessons learned from this demonstration were used to update the tool design quickly, exemplifying our adaptability and rapid iteration capability based on test outcomes.

Next, it was time to let MDA SKYMAKER™ shine on the Lunar Outpost Eagle rover at the annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO. Hosted at the MDA Space booth, this provided a next-level engagement with the space industry and sparked conversations around our space robotics and operations capabilities to support customers through cargo logistics, surface mobility, infrastructure construction and resource extraction and transport, helping to enable a sustainable and competitive space economy.

After Space Symposium, MDA SKYMAKER™ did not miss a beat, moving on to perform live demonstrations at the LTVS Subsystem and System Preliminary Design Reviews in May, followed by a June trip to the Colorado Desert for more demonstrations in the field.

This series of successful testing and demonstrations of the MDA SKYMAKER™ prototype robotic arm in various environments and scenarios was a crucial step in validating its design and performance. The hands-on experience in the field with prototype hardware was invaluable in ensuring that the arm’s design, concept of operations, and software are on a path to success.

Looking to the Future

Leveraging our long-standing expertise in space robotics, MDA Space is well equipped to adapt to the dynamic nature of the commercial industry while reliably meeting the critical requirements of a challenging space environment.

As we look to the future, MDA SKYMAKER™ is well positioned to drive advancements in space technology, building on our company’s legacy of innovation and expertise in space robotics. With the Lunar Dawn rover on the horizon, we’re eager to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration and development.

Contributing Author: Brayden Kent