In-space robotic assembly of large telescopes

Abstract

Advances in our understanding of the universe have been enabled by ground and particularly by space-based telescopes (e.g. the Hubble), free of interferences from Earths atmosphere. However, current astronomical challenges in areas such as exoplanets, interstellar medium and structure of the universe, require larger telescope apertures. Using deployable structures and a segmented primary mirror, such as in the James Webb telescope, allows an increase of the aperture, but the maximum size of the telescope is anyways limited mainly by the fairing size of the launch vehicle. Further increasing the size of the telescope requires a technological change, to move toward space-based assembly using autonomous robotic systems. This paper provides a survey of existing concepts for in-space assembly of telescopes, and introduces PULSAR (Prototype of an Ultra Large Structure Assembly Robot), the latest European effort toward proving feasibility of the technologies required for autonomous robotic assembly of a telescope or a large space-borne structure.