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Mini AERCam Robotic Space Vehicle
NASA is developing the Mini AERCam free-flying robotic inspection vehicle for remote viewing and inspection on future human spaceflight missions. The nanosatellite-class spherical Mini AERCam (Miniature Autonomous Extravehicular Robotic Camera) is just 7.5 inches in diameter and weighs approximately 10 pounds.
![](../graphics/content05/mini-aercam-main.jpg)
(Mini-AERCam)
The Mini-AERCam has impressive specs:
- Power and propulsion
The vehicle is designed with
a central ring that houses the power and
propulsion system. Batteries are lithium-ion
with six hours of operational time. The
propulsion system is designed for cold-gas xenon,
which packs more densely than nitrogen, but is
compatible with low-cost nitrogen in the current
ground test configuration. Attitude and position
control are achieved with the use of twelve
thrusters, distributed across four thruster pods
around the central ring. The batteries are
rechargeable and a port is provided for refueling.
- Navigation
The Mini AERCam navigation system includes a
GPS receiver for position and velocity
determination, and Draper Micro-Electro-
Mechanical System (MEMS) gyros for angular rate
sensing.
- Cameras
Two cameras are
aligned with the +X direction of the vehicle. One
camera provides NTSC-quality color video, and
the other camera can be used for high-resolution
still images, when selected. A third color video
camera is positioned in the +Y direction for an
orthogonal view.
- Interfaces
The vehicle is designed for either remotely piloted
operations or supervised autonomous operations.
A set of rotational and translational hand
controllers are used to operate the vehicle
manually. The operator may also input commands
through the Control Station, which also displays
system status and engineering data. Multiple Mini
AERCam camera views are available to the
operator.
![](../graphics/content05/mini-aercam-exploded.jpg)
(Mini-AERCam Exploded View)
Not to be outdone, Lucasfilms has done its best to create autonomous weaponized nanosatellites. The buzz droid from Revenge of the Sith has the following characteristics:
An insidious weapon unveiled by the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the later stages of the Clone Wars, buzz droids are tenacious saboteurs launched onto enemy starfighters via specialized missiles. When the missile achieves an optimum proximity to its target, it fragments to unleash a cloud of melon-sized metal spheres into the target's flight path. The spheres attach themselves to a target vessel, popping open to reveal an insect-like droid equipped with cutters and other tools of vandalism...
![](../graphics/content05/mini-aercam-buzzdroid.jpg)
(From Star Wars Buzz Droid)
Read more about nanosatellite projects at Personal Satellite Assistant: Servant Of Astronauts And Jedi and SPHERES - Mini Satellites Fly In Formation. Read more about the Mini AERCam (pdf) and visit the Mini AERCam website. Buzz droids can be seen at a theater near you.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/17/2005)
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