6 – Autonomous navigation  

Name of the system:

autonomous navigation and docking for rocket transportation

Lead entity within the SAMMBA consortium:

EUT

Attachment point within the process chain of the Spaceport operator:

The autonomous navigation for rocket transportation together with the docking system attach to the launchpad. 

Major benefit [KPI] within the process chain: [cost reduction/processing time reduction/reliability
increase – preferably with quantitative figures]

Increase of reliability: autonomous robots/AGVs can perform autonomous navigation and docking maneuvers with greater precision than human-guided systems.

Increase of availability: autonomous robots/AGVs can operate 24/7 with propper battery replacement systems

Increase of safety: autonomous robots remove the presence of humans in hazardous or dangerous tasks

Anticipated R&D vector for the near/mid/long-term:

robustness of the algorithms and sensors. in any climatological situation

Modularity granted with the following standards:

In terms of automomonus navegation, universality. As it does not require environment modifications, it can be migrated to any spaceport. Regarding the docking, depending on the docking station structure,  the docking algorithm should be adapted and tuned.

Interoperability granted with the following standards:

MQTT broker, VPN secure communications, video

Systems interfaced:

Launch Pad M&C, erector, mechanichal structures.