Ibadan, 25 January 2024. – GITAI USA Inc. has announced that its 1.5-meter-long autonomous dual robotic arm system (S2) is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (NG-20) on January 29. Having passed the necessary NASA safety reviews, the S2 will conduct an external demonstration of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) while onboard the ISS.
During the demonstration, GITAI will mount its robotic arm system external to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock. From here, it will perform on-orbit services, including maintenance, inspection, and life-extension operations for satellites. The S2 features a proprietary tool changer, enabling the robotic arm to conduct a variety of general-purpose tasks with high precision.
Furthermore, by demonstrating this technology in space, GITAI aims to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 and will consequently establish ISAM capabilities. In addition, the company plans to provide on-orbit satellite servicing in both GEO and LEO and is actively developing a spacecraft capable of performing rendezvous, repair, inspection, and life extension services for customers’ satellites.
Speaking on the mission, Sho Nakanose, Founder & CEO of GITAI, commented, “S2 is a robot that embodies the essence of GITAI’s robotics technology, incorporating the same fundamental technology used in our innovative Inchworm Robot and Lunar Rover.” The Founder also added, “The success of this demonstration will be a major milestone for GITAI, confirming the feasibility of this technology as a fully operational system in space.”
The S2 is the second demonstration mission for GITAI onboard the ISS. In 2021, the Company successfully completed a technology demonstration of its S1 autonomous space robot and succeeded in executing two tasks: assembling structures and panels for In-Space Assembly (ISA), and operating switches & cables for Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA).
