SPHERES MOSR Rendezvous and Docking with the OS (RDOS)

In order to support the tools needed to develop the Mars Sample Return (MSR) rendezvous and capture of the Orbiting Sample (OS), Aurora and MIT Space Systems Lab proposed the development of the Mars Orbiting Sample Return (MOSR) Rendezvous & Docking with the OS (RDOS) system. This system supports development of GN&C algorithms to address the "last few meters" operation between the chaser spacecraft and OS and extends the capabilities of the current SPHERES MOSR test bed. During Phase 1, the team demonstrated the feasibility of the visual navigation and controls infrastructure for the test bed. During Phase 2, the team proposes to integrate these capabilities into the test bed while engaging the NASA safety process throughout the development effort, resulting in ISS flight payload hardware ready for environmental testing and safety approval.

Similar capabilities offered to DoD or industry researchers who require a testbed for rendezvous and capture operations

Mars Sample Return Mission Cometary and other missions involving sample transfer in orbit to a return vehicle Other missions involving on-orbit rendezvous and docking/capture Flat floor, parabolic flight, and on-orbit implementations

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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