Warsaw, February 20th, 2024: PIAP Space develops model prototype of robotic arm for ESA's ARGONAUT lunar programme

Courier service to the Moon? Why not!

26 February 2024

The European Space Agency's ARGONAUT landers will provide regular deliveries of cargo and scientific experiments to the Moon. However, this will not be possible without one of the most critical elements of the design - a robotic arm, which will be responsible for moving the cargo to the surface after the successful landing. The solution is created by the Polish company PIAP Space - a leader in space robotics and a prime contractor in ESA projects.

The ESA's ambitious project focuses on the development of a versatile lunar lander to support various missions, from delivering necessary cargo and infrastructure for building lunar bases, to conducting scientific research and deploying rovers or energy stations. The Argonaut spacecraft has three main components: the Lunar Descent Element (LDE) that takes care of navigation and landing, the Cargo Platform Element (CPE) that is the interface between the lander and its payload, and finally, the Payload itself – the element delivered to the surface of the Moon.

ARGONAUT emphasizes adaptability, allowing a wide range of mission scenarios to be realized. One of the key tasks of the project will be the safe unloading of the lander's payload onto the Moon's surface. The robotic arm model prototype (breadboard) designed by PIAP Space and developed under the MANUS project is expected to enable ESA to perform various tasks, such as crewed missions, cargo transport with unloading, and autonomous exploration of the Moon's surface.

As part of MANUS, PIAP Space, together with invited partners Astronika, GMV and Leonardo, conducted conceptual part studies to design technology that supports logistical operations, scientific research, and crewed missions on the Moon's surface, based on three reference scenarios prepared by ESA. In the engineering part of the project, a model prototype version of the robotic arm is being built for technology demonstration, testing, and verification of the system's intended functions, along with the required testing equipment.

PIAP Space has been developing robotic solutions for the space industry since 2017. In 2022, in a joint NASA and ESA project, engineers from the company build a prototype of chassis of the Sample Fetch Rover (SFR) for the Mars Sample Return mission, which was designed to collect and transport Martian rock and soil samples to a return rocket that would bring them back to Earth.

PIAP Space is also the prime contractor for ESA in the TITAN project, an advanced robotic arm dedicated to precise orbital operations, from inspection and servicing of satellites to the removal of inactive or damaged objects from orbit. A few years ago, the Warsaw-based company provided the LARIS gripper, designed as a Key Enabling Building Block for robotic orbital systems to capture LARs of satellites. Thanks to the use of a universal Interface, i.e., the connection of the gripper with the robotic arm, it enables tool exchange during space operations, increasing their efficiency.

More information about the ESA Argonaut project can be read on the European Space Agency's website: https://esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Argonaut

More about PIAP Space can be learned on their website: https://piap.space/

Media Contact
Maciek Mysliwiec
maciek@spaceagency.biz
+48 884 778 177

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About PIAP Space
PIAP Space Sp. z o. o., established in 2017 as a spin-off from the Łukasiewicz Research Network - Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (Ł-PIAP), is co-owned by the Industrial Development Agency (ARP) and Ł-PIAP. The company offers comprehensive infrastructure ensuring service continuity and repeatability, certified with ISO 9001:2015 for the design, development, production, assembly, and testing in space technology and robotics.
PIAP Space specializes in space robotics, developing technologies and products for In-Orbit Servicing and future ISAM missions, including robotic arms and grippers (LARIS, Multipurpose Servicer), 6-axis Force and Torque Sensor, and vision-based positioning and rendering algorithms. It also provides Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) for satellite assembly, integration, and testing, offering integration adapters (GHA), vibration test adapters (VTA), integration stands for satellites and panels (PIS, PIT), lifting devices, and vacuum-compatible MGSE.