{"id":61521,"date":"2020-10-23T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-465632"},"modified":"2023-07-26T16:01:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:01:25","slug":"nasas-refueling-mission-completes-second-set-of-robotic-tool-operations-in-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasas-refueling-mission-completes-second-set-of-robotic-tool-operations-in-space\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s Refueling Mission Completes Second Set of Robotic Tool Operations in Space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/sspd.gsfc.nasa.gov\/RRM3.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Robotic Refueling Mission 3 (RRM3)<\/a> has successfully completed its second set of robotic tool operations on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/main\/index.html\">International Space Station<\/a>, demonstrating key techniques for transferring cryogenic fluids, used as coolants, propellants, or for life support systems in orbit. These technologies have applications for extending spacecraft life and facilitating exploration to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/topics\/moon-to-mars\">Moon and Mars<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"965\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The International Space Station's Dexter robot uses two tools to complete robotic operations for the Robotic Refueling Mission 3\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png 2100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=300,141 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=768,362 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=1024,482 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=1536,723 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=2048,965 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=400,188 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=600,283 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=900,424 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=1200,565 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_merged_high_res.png?resize=2000,942 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot 2 (VIPIR2) before launch (top left), and in space during operations (top middle, top right); and Cryogen Servicing Tool (CST) before launch (bottom left), and in space during operations (bottom middle, bottom right).<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>From October 19-22, RRM3 \u2013 with the help of the station\u2019s Dextre robot \u2013 connected an 11-foot long hose to a designated cryogen port while simultaneously using an inspection tool to verify the hose connection. This marks the first time that Dextre has had tools in both arms completing RRM3 operations. RRM3 supplied the hose and robotic tools of a future servicer spacecraft, as well as a piping system representing that of a satellite in need of fueling.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"936\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png?w=936\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The International Space Station's Dextre robot simultaneously used both of its arms for these robotic operations.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png 936w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png?resize=300,117 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png?resize=768,299 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png?resize=400,156 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png?resize=600,233 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_2.png?resize=900,350 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">For the first time, Dextre simultaneously uses its two arms to wield robotic refueling tools. The right arm uses the Cryogen Servicing Tool to maneuver a cryogen hose, and the left uses Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot 2, an inspection camera, to verify placement.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>During the demonstration, Dextre simultaneously operated two RRM3 tools: the Cryogen Servicing Tool (CST) and the Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot 2 (VIPIR2) tool. One of Dextre\u2019s arms held the CST, which was needed to grab and guide the hose into the port. The second arm extended the snake-like VIPIR2 camera into the piping system to ensure the hose was inserted correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"973\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The VIPIR2 extends its camera to be inserted into Robotic Refueling Mission 3. \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png 2100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=300,143 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=768,365 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=1024,487 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=1536,730 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=2048,973 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=400,190 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=600,285 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=900,428 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=1200,570 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_ops_vipir_1.png?resize=2000,950 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot 2 (VIPIR2), extends its snake-like borescope camera for free-space checkout, to later be inserted into the RRM3 module\u2019s piping system to verify proper cryogen hose placement.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2018\/nasa-to-launch-new-refueling-mission-helping-spacecraft-live-longer-and-journey-farther\">mission launched<\/a> in December 2018 and conducted its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/robotic-tool-operations-bring-in-space-refueling-closer-to-reality\">first set of robotic operations<\/a> in August 2019, during which it demonstrated its Multi-Function Tool 2 and a robotic-friendly hose adapter system. This RRM3 demonstration added experience and information to NASA\u2019s knowledge base on transferring cryogenic fuel in space.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"382\" height=\"382\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?w=382\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"The Cryogen Servicing Tool allows Dextre to maneuver the 11-ft long cryogen hose to a port on the RRM3 module.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png 382w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 382px) 100vw, 382px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The Cryogen Servicing Tool allows Dextre to maneuver the 11-ft long cryogen hose to a port on the RRM3 module.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Prior to an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2019\/robotic-refueling-mission-3-update-april-12-2019\">April 2019 venting operation<\/a>, RRM3 stored liquid methane for four months, the longest in-space storage of a cryogen without any loss of fluid. This record had been difficult to achieve previously because cryogens vaporize in a process called boil-off when not maintained at a low enough temperature.<br> RRM3 was developed and operated by <a href=\"https:\/\/sspd.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA\u2019s Exploration and In-space Services (NExIS)<\/a> projects division (formerly known as the Satellite Servicing Projects Division) at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\">NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a> in Greenbelt, Maryland.\u00a0The demonstration was funded by the Space Technology Mission Directorate\u2019s Technology Demonstration Missions program, which is located at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>By\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:vanessa.c.lloyd@nasa.gov\">Vanessa Lloyd<\/a><strong><em>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:isabelle.c.yan@nasa.gov\">Isabelle Yan<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\">NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a><strong><em>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA\u2019s Robotic Refueling Mission 3 (RRM3) has successfully completed its second set of robotic tool operations on the International Space Station, demonstrating key techniques for transferring cryogenic fluids, used as coolants, propellants, or for life support systems in orbit. These technologies have applications for extending spacecraft life and facilitating exploration to the Moon and Mars. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":467,"featured_media":62631,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2857,2735,2864,2830,2788,3335],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA\u2019s Refueling Mission Completes Second Set of Robotic Tool Operations in Space","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasas-refueling-mission-completes-second-set-of-robotic-tool-operations-in-space\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasas-refueling-mission-completes-second-set-of-robotic-tool-operations-in-space\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Isabelle C. Yan"}],"creator":["Isabelle C. Yan"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Technology Mission Directorate","Technology Demonstration Missions Program","Goddard Space Flight Center","International Space Station (ISS)","Marshall Space Flight Center","Robotics","Technology Demonstration"],"dateCreated":"2020-10-23T22:00:00Z","datePublished":"2020-10-23T22:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T20:01:25Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA\u2019s Refueling Mission Completes Second Set of Robotic Tool Operations in Space\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasas-refueling-mission-completes-second-set-of-robotic-tool-operations-in-space\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2020-10-23T22:00:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Technology Mission Directorate,Technology Demonstration Missions Program,Goddard Space Flight Center,International Space Station (ISS),Marshall Space Flight Center,Robotics,Technology Demonstration\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Isabelle C. Yan\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":2,"time_ago":"4 years","featured_image":{"id":62631,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/rrm3_image_4.png","title":"rrm3_image_4","alt":"The Cryogen Servicing Tool allows Dextre to maneuver the 11-ft long cryogen hose to a port on the RRM3 module.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61521"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/467"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61521"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":365233,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61521\/revisions\/365233"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61521"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=61521"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=61521"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=61521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}