Space Servicing Capabilities Project - WVU

We s t V i rg i n i a Ro b o t i c Te c h n o l o g y C e n t e r
West Virginia University
Dr. Thomas H. Evans
WVRTC Research Program Manager
West Virginia University
Thomas.Evans@mail.wvu.edu
Jason Battin
Engineer
Dr. Andres Velasquez Escandon
Computer Vision Scientist
Dr. Giacomo Marani
Research Engineer
Michael Campbell
Systems Engineer
Patrick Lewis
Systems Engineer
Capt. Ken A. Olson
Engineering Technician
Current research at WVRTC spans a wide variety of technical
applications, from autonomous vision systems for robotic
manipulation in various environments to nano sensors for fuel leak
detection.
WVRTC has developed advanced
robot control systems that work
effectively with computer vision
and sensor fusion methodologies,
providing synergistic control for
autonomous manipulation.
WVRTC collaborates with West Virginia University’s College of
Engineering and Mineral Resources to develop new technologies for
real world applications. WVRTC serves to support NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center for research and development of space servicing
technologies, focusing on the autonomous capture of on-orbit
satellites for refueling and repair operations.
WVRTC – Test Facility
Robot Manipulators & Test Platforms
• (2) Motoman SIA50D with High
Speed Control
• Motoman SIA10D with High Speed
Control
• Mikrolar R3000 Rotopod Motion
Based Platform
• Shuttle Remote Manipulator System Flight Arm
• Solar Simulator
Machine Vision Solutions for AR&D
Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture & Advanced
Sensor Systems
• Machine vision algorithm solutions to provide position
estimation of client spacecraft relative to a servicer
spacecraft during approach and capture
• Capable of maintaining estimation all the way to capture,
allowing the possibility to stop grapple at last minute if
necessary
• Algorithms provide flexibility for tracking of general
features, such as circles, lines, arcs, and points
West Virginia University is a flagship land-grant, doctoral degree
granting research university located in Morgantown, WV. WVU
provides high quality programs of instruction at the undergraduate,
graduate, and professional levels.
• Developing advanced sensor systems for operation in harsh
space environment conditions
• Sensors provide refined assistive information and data to
teleoperation, semi-autonomous, and autonomous tasks for
space servicing and explorations objectives
WVU has received $152 million
annually in sponsored contracts
and research grants and has an
operational budget which is over
$875 million annually.
The WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral
Resources is nationally recognized for its educational and research
programs, technical innovation, creation of knowledge, and ability to
foster educational excellence, while continuing its commitment to
the economic growth of the state and nation.