NASA has given the go-ahead to a Canadian firm to work on a
possible robot-salvage mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The
contract is valued at $154 million and builds on the space robotics work of
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) Ltd through its MD Robotics group in Brampton, Ontario.
The awarding of the HST contract work is a milestone in a
go/no go decision due next summer when NASA will decide whether or not to
proceed with the observatory's servicing by robotic means.
The Canadian firm built the "Canadarm" -- the robotic arm
technology often used on space shuttle missions.
In addition, under
government contract to the Canadian Space Agency, MD Robotics -- with the help
of a Canada-wide industrial team -- developed the robotic systems that represent
Canada's
contribution to the International Space Station (ISS).
A Mobile
Servicing System provides the ISS with sophisticated space-based robotics to
assemble, transport, and maintain payloads in orbit, as well as help build and
maintain the space station itself.
Extending human reach
In a statement announcing the contract, MDA touted MD Robotics work for a prospective
Hubble repair mission as positioning the company "as
the world leader in extending human reach in hostile environments with great
precision and reliability."
Based on Canada's
space robotics technology called Dextre, MDA will design a concept that could
support the repair and upgrade of the Hubble space telescope. That is, if NASA
conducts such a mission.
Dextre is the dual-armed robot built by MDA under contract
to the Canadian Space Agency to conduct exterior maintenance of the
International Space Station.
That robot is specially designed to perform complex tasks in
the harsh environment of space, such as installing and removing batteries,
power supplies, computer units, and scientific payloads.
According to a statement from the Canadian Space Agency,
Dextre will be adapted to replace batteries, gyroscopes, and perhaps an
instrument on the $1.5-billion scientific Hubble Space Telescope to extend its
life.
Controversial
decision
The move to use robots to service the Hubble Space Telescope
rather than spacewalking astronauts remains controversial.
Outgoing NASA Administrator, Sean O'Keefe, has been
steadfast in his decision not to risk astronaut lives conducting such a
mission. O'Keefe cancelled Hubble servicing via space shuttle attendants
following the loss of shuttle Columbia
and crew in early 2003.
However, a study performed by a special blue ribbon panel of
the U.S. National Research Council recommended to NASA last month that the
space agency should scrap plans to service the orbiting telescope robotically.
The study group advised that a space shuttle crew could perform the work and
doing so was the best option available.
Classified
work
Dan Friedmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of MDA,
explained in a statement: "The Hubble mission and our strategic participation
in other space missions will demonstrate that robots can cost-effectively
complete complex tasks in space, while working together with astronauts on the
ground."
If given the final go-ahead, the robotic Hubble mission
would follow on the heels of two U.S. military satellite missions
that will utilize MDA's solutions to perform similar tasks.
According to the company, MDA is involved in two other
important unmanned U.S.
military satellite missions. MDA recently shipped a space-based solution for a
classified satellite observation program, and is in the final stages of another
previously announced key space servicing mission.
A statement from Canadian Space Agency (CSA) explains that a
successful robotic servicing mission could prolong Hubble's life expectancy
well beyond 2010. Without such a mission, the space observatory could fail as
soon as 2007.
"Through the Government of Canada's long-standing commitment
and vision, we have earned a reputation for leadership and innovation in space
robotics, an expertise that is second to none," added Marc Garneau, President
of the CSA. "NASA's recognition of the expertise of MDA is a source of pride
for all Canadians," he concluded.
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