Front-End Robotic Enabling Near-Term Demonstrations (FREND)

Program Manager: Lt Col Fred Kennedy, USAF

Overview

The goal of the Front-end Robotics Enabling Near-term Demonstration (FREND) program is to develop, demonstrate and fly robotic manipulator technologies designed to allow interaction with geosynchronous orbit (GEO)-based military and commercial spacecraft, extending their service lives and permitting satellite repositioning or retirement.  Existing GEO spacecraft are outfitted with sufficient propellant to provide for needed station keeping, repositioning, and retirement maneuvers, which in many cases defines their useful mission durations.  Once this propellant is expended, the vehicle is retired and, in many cases replaced.  FREND technologies can enable significant service extension to these spacecraft through re-boosting near end-of-life.  FREND combines detailed stereo photogrammetric imaging with robotic multi-degree-of-freedom manipulators to autonomously grapple space objects not outfitted with custom interfaces.  A FREND-based servicing spacecraft offers the potential for spacecraft salvage, repair, rescue, reposition, de-orbit and retirement, and debris removal.

Last Updated: 02/18/08