Transforming space solutions: upgrades to a world-class robotic facility webinar

Transforming space solutions: The role of project managers in delivering upgrades to a world-class robotic facility benefitting satellite servicing and space debris removal webinar

Those who joined on Thursday 8 May heard a fascinating webinar where Interest Network Deputy Lead Mark Heelis, was joined by Eleanor Barber, Farzana Zainal Abidin and James Kell. Eleanor, Farzana and James shared their valuable insights on how project teams at Satellite Applications Catapult and Amentum came together to deliver Robotic upgrades which support terrestrial testing of Satellite Servicing and Space Debris Removal.

The Satellite Applications Catapult In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) Facility in Westcott aims to provide world-class support to companies in the space sector to help them develop solutions to some of the most pressing issues in space. In the facility, companies can test space debris removal, satellite servicing and repair, refuelling, and assembly of large structures in space. 

In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing is a critical theme for the UK space sector and as part of their UKSA funded upgrades to their existing ISAM Yard, Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC) commissioned Amentum to design and implement a Gravity Offload System (GOLS) to simulate the micro-gravity conditions and the lack of air resistance experienced in space orbit. Particularly, GOLS will be used to conduct contact testing of docking processes between satellites. Put simply – in the event that a docking manoeuvre between two satellites is unsuccessful, the target satellite suspended on the GOLS will drift away indefinitely. 

In only 7-months, teams at SAC and Amentum have worked collaboratively to deliver the new capability which has included the design of the system, procurement of all component parts, assembly and testing at their facility in Birchwood followed by re-assembly and commissioning of the system onsite at the SAC’s facility in Westcott. On this webinar we heard how they have achieved that and overcame challenges along the way. 


Webinar resources

Our presenters Eleanor, Farzana and James have very kindly allowed their presented material to be made available for viewing. The slides on Slideshare and the webinar recording on YouTube will shortly be available in our APM resources area and also embedded below for reference.

This webinar content is suitable for professionals with any level of experience in the project profession.

Additional information about the Satellite Applications Catapult ISAM capability 

Speakers

Eleanor Barber is a Project Manager at the Satellite Applications Catapult. Eleanor has a background in managing complex and challenging engineering projects. Her career includes front-end integration work on the Atacama Large Millimetre Array and ground testing for one of ESA’s Sentinel satellites. She has also supported spin-out and start-up ventures, helping them structure their projects and systems under challenging timelines and demanding technical conditions. At SAC Eleanor has led the project management of ISAM Yard upgrade, and in particular the installation of the Gravity Offload System.

Farzana Zainal Abidin is a Robotics Engineer and interim cover for Operations for the Robotics Development team at Amentum. She has background working in agile robotics and design start-ups including robotics simulation, user interface design, computer aided design (CAD) and rapid manufacturing such as 3D printing. As part of Amentum, she has contributed to several feasibility and proof-of-concept projects for the nuclear industry and aided the team in delivering the In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) Gravity Offload System (GOLS). She was involved technically during the bidding stage and early stages of the initial feasibility design study, and continued to oversee progress through to commissioning and completion of the system on site in Westcott.

James Kell is Robotics Technical Director at Amentum, responsible for developing and implementing systems to extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure. James works with clients to capture new project requirements, enabling the team to deliver innovative solutions. He has grown revenue and expanded the application of nuclear robotics technologies to sectors such as space, defence, and waste water. James serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Robotics Growth Partnership sponsored by HM Government. With a strong academic background and a passion for inspiring the next generation of engineers, he holds a Visiting Professor role at the University of Nottingham.