NASA has conducted a ground demonstration of a robotic arm designed to perform spacecraft assembly operations in areas beyond Earth’s atmosphere.The Tension Actuated in Space MANipulator or TALISMAN demonstrated its basic function during a ground test held at the Structures and Materials Test Laboratory in Langley Research Center, Virginia, the space agency said Tuesday.
During the test, NASA personnel moved the TALISMAN’s longer arm to different positions.
The test aimed to demonstrate the robotic arm’s readiness for the more advanced stages of comprehensive testing.
Futures tests are expected to involve the robotic arm moving objects on a strut.
The TALISMAN effort is part of the Commercial Infrastructure for Robotic Assembly and Servicing program that aims to address NASA’s needs for in-space assembly and construction.
CIRAS is done in collaboration with Orbital ATK.
TALISMAN joins the NASA Intelligent Jigging and Assembly Robot or NINJAR; and the Strut Assembly, Manufacturing, Utility and Robotic Aid or SAMURAI to compose CIRAS.
