Product/Service - Bulldog Servicer, ESCHER
- Classification
- In-Space Transportation
- Category
- On-Orbit Servicing
Hardware
Docking
- Fields
- In-Space Satellite Servicing
- Status
- Cancelled, Concept, Acquired
- First launch
- Not announced
Bulldog
- The small form factor is enabled by the use of our EMBARC (Electromagnetic Boom-Assisted Robotic Capture) magnetic capture arm. EMBARC is a 6DOF, long-reach (>3m) extendable/retractable robot arm with a 2DOF shoulder, an extendable/retractable composite boom acting as a linear degree of freedom, a 3DOF articulated wrist, and a dual-mode electropermanent magnetic grapple head at the distal end.
- The EMBARC arm enables reliable capture at a safe distance from client spacecraft equipped with a magnetic grapple fixture like Altius' DogTag, even if they’re tumbling or moving relative to the servicer. This eliminates the need for high-thrust formation flight for capturing tumbling targets, and enables the use of high-efficiency low-thrust propulsion systems for most maneuvers. Bulldog includes a traditional 6DOF arm for connecting refueling interfaces, and installing or assembling modules onto a client spacecraft. Because EMBARC handles the highly-dynamic spacecraft capture process, this second servicing arm has greatly relaxed technical requirements.
DogTags
MagTags
In Space Assembly
Altius to Contribute Technology to Robotic Arms for DoD On-Orbit Servicing
The contract enables Altius to assist Maxar in developing two flight-ready robotic arms, each 2 meters in length. Each arm will be underactuated, with a single motor running a tensioned cable system to transmit torque to any number of joints, reducing weight and cost. Altius will supply novel and capable interfaces for each robotic arm, a key technology for the success of the project. We will provide our MagTag™ universal satellite servicing interface, and our Dust Tolerant Tool-changer Interface (DTTI).
Status Comment
As of early 2023, the website does not seem to mention Bulldog servicing vehicle and offer in-space servicing services. Setting the status as Cancelled in the context of in-space economy and this database.
Notes
News, Research, Projects and Patents
| Title | Type | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voyager Subsidiary, Altius Space Machines, Inc. Announces Both a SBIR and STTR Contract Win to Develop Innovative Technologies for Satellite Servicing | News, Project | 2020-08-31 | > Selected to participate in a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to further develop in space servicing capabilities using its patented electropermanent magnet (EPM) technology. |