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Initially developed as a close quarters inspection tool capable of accessing hard to reach, tight, or visibly restricted, areas of satellites, the VIPIR system can be used to remotely inspect inaccessible locations such as behind a sheet of thermal blanketing material, into a satellites plumbing, or perhaps even deep inside the otherwise unreachable crevasses of a spacecraft bus. The VIPIR system incorporates a number of subassemblies for incredible operational freedom and capabilities for imaging and dissemination of componentry. VIPIR’s Video Borescope Assembly (VBA) is a flexible snake-camera capable of multidirectional articulations, making steering and control simple and intuitive for an operator. The VBA also includes at least one imaging sensor and lighting to see in dark, confined spaces. Real-time, high-resolution visual information can be fed back to an operator for live analysis. A reel system extends and retracts the VBA with the use of a spool, and includes position indicators for deployment tracking. The Tendon Management System (TMS), not unlike human tendons, utilizes pulleys and tensioners to articulate the VBA in the confined spaces. A seal system ensures the VBA is free of contamination. VIPIR underwent space-based testing on the ISS during the Robotic Refueling Phase 2 (RRM-2) mission designed to showcase and test several NASA advanced robotic satellite servicing technologies. During this mission, VIPIR demonstrated state-of-the-art near and midrange inspection capabilities. NASA’s VIPIR system is available for licensing to industry, and may be desirable to companies focused on satellite servicing, on-orbit assembly, and other applications requiring detailed inspection of assets in space.

The androgynous fastener is lightweight and facilitates assembly through simple actuation with large driver-positioning tolerance requirements. This fastener provides a high-strength, reversible mechanical connection and may be used in high strength-to-weight ratio structural systems, such as lattice structure systems. The androgynous fastener resists tensile and shear forces upon loading of the lattice structure system thereby ensuring that the struts of the lattice structure system govern the mechanical behavior of the system. The androgynous fastener eliminates building-block orientation requirements and allows assembly in all orthogonal build directions. This androgynous fastener may be captive in building-block structural elements thereby minimizing the logistical complexity of transporting additional fasteners. Integration of a plurality of the androgynous fasteners into a high performance, robotically managed, structural system reduces launch energy requirements, enables higher mission adaptivity and decreases system life-cycle costs. The androgynous fastener is beneficial in any application where robotic end effectors are used to join structural components (or other parts) together. It may be particularly desirable for applications requiring frequent movement of hardware to an assembly site to replace joint connections.