Aerospace Engineering jobs

Design an Attachment Mechanism (AM) In this challenge, you are asked to design an Attachment Mechanism (AM) that will be mounted to, and being controlled and powered by a separately designed robotic arm. This challenge is focused on the electro-mechanical system only (i.e., no internal computing or circuitry) How it works: Initially, the AM will be packed in a stowed configuration. When powered and controlled, the AM must be capable of executing five high-level actions: 1) unpack in preparation for placement near a Handrail, 2) close on the Handrail, 3) maintain a hold on the handrail for an extended period of time, 4) release from the handrail, and 5) pack back into the initial stowed configuration. Click on the attachments below to see 1) the AM Problem Description, which provides more detailed instructions about all the requirements your design needs to meet; 2) AM Solution Guidelines, which details the format an content that your submission must follow; and 3) the templates that are referenced in the solution guidelines. Microsoft Excel and Open Office Calc formats are attached below. Challenge rules: - The prize will be awarded for the lowest mass, technically feasible solution, submitted by the contest deadline. - No working prototype is required for submission, but the design must be sufficiently detailed to allow experts to assess the feasibility of your design (i.e., comply with all requirements) and the credibility of your mass estimate. - Only complete submission packages will be evaluated (see attachments). NASA may select multiple winners or provide additional prize compensation on entries that are particularly novel or innovative. NASA will be available to respond to clarifying questions, but feedback on quality is otherwise limited. All complete submissions will be confirmed with 3-star ratings. Note that final judgement of quality and winners will only happen after the submission deadline.

Design a “Smart” Attachment Mechanism (no positioning capability) (SAM) In this challenge, you are asked to design a “Smart” Attachment Mechanism (SAM) that will be mounted to the free end of a separately designed robotic arm. The SAM receives all external power and high-level commands through its interface to the robotic arm, but implements the below functions autonomously. How it works: Initially, the SAM will be packed in a stowed configuration. Once activated, the SAM must be capable of autonomously performing five high-level actions: 1) unpack itself in preparation for placement near a Handrail, 2) close on the Handrail, 3) maintain a hold on the handrail for an extended period of time, 4) release from the handrail, and 5) pack back into the initial stowed configuration. Click on the attachments below to see 1) the SAM Problem Description, which provides more detailed instructions about all the requirements your design needs to meet; 2) SAM Solution Guidelines, which details the format an content that your submission must follow; and 3) the templates that are referenced in the solution guidelines. Microsoft Excel and Open Office Calc formats are attached below. Challenge rules: The prize will be awarded for the lowest mass, technically feasible solution, submitted by the contest deadline. No working prototype is required for submission, but the design must be sufficiently detailed to allow experts to assess the feasibility of your design (i.e., comply with all requirements) and the credibility of your mass estimate. Only complete submission packages will be evaluated (see attachments). NASA may select multiple winners or provide additional prize compensation on entries that are particularly novel or innovative. NASA will be available to respond to clarifying questions, but feedback on quality is otherwise limited. All complete submissions will be confirmed with 3-star ratings. Note that final judgement of quality and winners will only happen after the submission deadline.

Design a “Smart” Positioning and Attachment Mechanism (SPAM) In this challenge, you are asked to design a “smart” positioning and attachment mechanism (SPAM) that will be mounted to the free end of a separately designed robotic arm. The SPAM receives all power and high-level commands through its interface to the robotic arm, but implements the below functions autonomously. How it works: Initially, the SPAM will be packed in its stowed configuration. Once activated, the SPAM must be capable of autonomously performing three high-level actions: 1) unpack from its stowed configuration, move the remaining distance to a specified Handrail location, and then attach itself to the Handrail, 2) maintain its hold on the handrail for an extended period of time, 3) retract itself from the handrail and return to the initial stowed configuration. Click on the attachments below to see 1) the SPAM Problem Description, which provides more detailed instructions about all the requirements your design needs to meet; 2) SPAM Solution Guidelines, which details the format an content that your submission must follow; and 3) the templates that are referenced in the solution guidelines. Microsoft Excel and Open Office Calc formats are attached below. Challenge rules: - The prize will be awarded for the lowest mass, technically feasible solution, submitted by the contest deadline. - No working prototype is required for submission, but the design must be sufficiently detailed to allow experts to assess the feasibility of your design (i.e., comply with all requirements) and the credibility of your mass estimate. - Only complete submission packages will be evaluated (see attachments). NASA may select multiple winners or provide additional prize compensation on entries that are particularly novel or innovative. NASA will be available to respond to clarifying questions, but feedback on quality is otherwise limited. All complete submissions will be confirmed with 3-star ratings. Note that final judgement of quality and winners will only happen after the submission deadline.