Automated resupply of consumables: Enhancement of space commercialization opportunities

This paper addresses work performed at Rockwell International's Space Systems Division to investigate the feasibility of, and develop concepts for, automated and/or robotic resupply of consumables on orbit. The work focuses on the resupply of satellites and is described in five sections. First, the various problems relating the resupply on orbit are discussed: for example, economic concerns, fuel handling problems, and safety issues. Next major methods of effecting fuel transfer on orbit are summarized, together with their advantages and disadvantages. Direct fuel exchange is emphasized as the most feasible technique. Third, guidelines are developed for automated/robotic refueling mechanisms to accomplish on-orbit consumable resupply. For example, the guidelines cover safety, reliability, maintainability, alignment, induced loads, thermal protection, leaks, extravehicular activity (EVA) interface, and so on. The fourth part of the paper covers the development of design concepts for satellite resupply robotic interfaces that comply with the guidelines. Concepts include servicer fluid transfer system and satellite propulsion system, and a combined docking/umbilical device. Last, future technical development in these areas are discussed

Quantum random walks without walking

Quantum random walks have received much interest due to their non-intuitive dynamics, which may hold the key to a new generation of quantum algorithms. What remains a major challenge is a physical realization that is experimentally viable and not limited to special connectivity criteria. We present a scheme for walking on arbitrarily complex graphs, which can be realized using a variety of quantum systems such as a BEC trapped inside an optical lattice. This scheme is particularly elegant since the walker is not required to physically step between the nodes; only flipping coins is sufficient.Comment: 12 manuscript pages, 3 figure

Solid State Implementation of Quantum Random Walks on General Graphs

Advances in recent years have made it possible to explore quantum dots as a viable technology for scalable quantum information processing. Charge qubits for example can be realized in the lowest bound states of coupled quantum dots and the precision control of the confinement potential allows for the realization of a full set of universal qubit gates, including arbitrary single-qubit rotations and two-qubit C-NOT gates. In this work we describe a novel scheme for implementing quantum random walks on arbitrarily complex graphs by extending these elementary operations to the control of a two-dimensional quantum dot grid. As single-qubit rotations constitute the essential building blocks of our implementation scheme, we also present numerical simulations of one such mechanism by directly solving the corresponding time-dependent Schrodinger equation.Comment: 6 manuscript pages, 6 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Solid-State Quantum Computing and the Mini-School on Quantum Information Scienc

Paper Session I-B - Autonomous Robotic Systems For SEI Tasks

On the 20th anniversary, in 1989, of our country\u27s triumphant first landing on the surface of our moon, the President of the United States once again challenged the nation to excel in space. Since that time, a series of outreach efforts was initiated by NASA to the aerospace industry, federal agencies, and the public. In addition, the Vice President of the United States chartered an Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program. At this writing, the AIAA has submitted a report on their canvass of the aerospace community, and the Advisory Committee report has been published. The synthesis group is in the conclusion preparation phase and should have the report completed by the time of this conference. Although each of these groups has taken different approaches, a consensus does appear that agrees with the President\u27s objectives. Whether the schedule or architectures agree, they all recommend a ...\u27 \u27balanced Space Program for America. We will, within budgetary limits, reenergize our country\u27s thrust into space through a renewed dedication toward the long-term magnet for the manned space program ... the human exploration of Mars. This, of course, is the long-term goal coupled with the science, mission-to-planet Earth, expanded technology and development of a robust space transportation system that make up the balanced program recommended. The authors do not disagree with the goals, objectives, or recommendations of the two reports published to date nor will we differ with the synthesis conclusions after they become apparent. We will briefly summarize the results of an .analysis conducted by McDonnell Douglas and Eagle Engineering in the second and third quarters of CY9Q. The results will show the benefits of space programs and suggest an overall approach to space architecture that could help maximize the world benefits of space while still meeting the overall objectives of the three sets of recommendations mentioned above. We acknowledge the work of the con- \u27 tributors to the AIAA report and to numerous NASA studies of specific endeavors such as the Lunar Energy Enterprise study. This paper is a much shortened version of the entire treatment. A more complete presentation will be available from the authors at the conference if desired

Asymptotic properties of the Dirac quantum cellular automaton

We show that the Dirac quantum cellular automaton [A. Bisio, G. M. D'Ariano, and A. Tosini, Ann. Phys. (N. Y.) 354, 244 (2015)] shares many properties in common with the discrete-time quantum walk. These similarities can be exploited to study the automaton as a unitary process that takes place at regular time steps on a one-dimensional lattice, in the spirit of general quantum cellular automata. In this way, it becomes an alternative to the quantum walk, with a dispersion relation that can be controlled by a parameter that plays a similar role to the coin angle in the quantum walk. The Dirac Hamiltonian is recovered under a suitable limit. We provide two independent analytical approximations to the long-term probability distribution. It is shown that, starting from localized conditions, the asymptotic value of the entropy of entanglement between internal and motional degrees of freedom overcomes the known limit that is approached by the quantum walk for the same initial conditions and is similar to the ones achieved by highly localized states of the Dirac equation

Paper Session I-C - Advanced Vision and Robotic Systems for Hazardous Environments

This paper describes work performed at the Rockwell Space Division, Downey, California, and at Fluor Daniel Inc. Irvine, California, related to task performance in remote hazardous environments through advanced robotic and vision systems. These environments could be in space, for example related to the Space Shuttle, Space Station and outer space and planetary environments. In addition, the environments could be on earth, for example areas contaminated by chemical or radioactive waste. In both instances, the task is most efficiently performed when the environment has been designed from the very beginning for remote task performance. While this is often not the case, much is being done in the development of two important related remote technologies: environmental characterization and inspection; and remote handling and manipulation. Important work has already taken place in developing robust systems for remote characterization, inspection and manipulation, for example, at the facilities of NASA and the Department of Energy. NASA is already integrating and testing a mobile robot system for inspection and re-waterproofing of thermal protection system tiles on the Space Shuttle. Other NASA efforts include micro-rovers, robotic devices for ground emergency responses, robots with local autonomy for ground characterization, and small, highly dexterous robots for visual inspection. In addition, the Department of Energy has many efforts to develop characterization, inspection and robotic systems for radiation areas. Notable examples include mobile systems for inspection of exterior and interior acreage sites, reactor vessels, pipes, drums, and various devices and special end-effectors for waste excavation, size reduction, manipulation, decontamination, and decommissioning. To support these activities, we have taken a systematic approach to developing some of the basic technologies necessary for remote operations in hostile environments. Our major thrust has been to develop a modular, re-configurable robotics laboratory test bed, and then to use this test bed to support advances in the following areas: simulation and engineering analysis for development and verification of remote tasks; special vision systems; and vibration isolation to stabilize and enhance remote manipulators