AI-powered autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) software for spacecraft — enabling safe on-orbit servicing, debris removal, and orbital logistics without human piloting.
RPOD Autonomous Docking System
AI-powered autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) software for spacecraft — enabling safe on-orbit servicing, debris removal, and orbital logistics without human piloting.
Description
Obruta Space Solutions develops an autonomous RPOD (Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking) software system that acts as an AI-driven spacecraft pilot, enabling any satellite or spacecraft to autonomously dock with another in orbit. The system integrates AI-based computer vision, guidance navigation and control (GNC), vision-based navigation filtering, path planning, and embedded control software into a unified autonomous platform designed to meet the mass, power, and cost constraints of commercial NewSpace missions. The technology has been successfully demonstrated in microgravity on Astrobee robots aboard the International Space Station, validating autonomous path planning and control in a realistic zero-gravity environment. RPOD technology enables eight on-orbit servicing markets: inspection, orbital refueling, satellite life extension, orbital replacement units (ORU), end-of-life and space debris removal, orbital logistics, orbital manufacturing, and space tourism station operations. Obruta is funded by the Canadian Space Agency with over $575,000 CAD in grants.
Specifications
| Technology type | Autonomous RPOD software system |
|---|---|
| Core technologies | AI computer vision, GNC, vision-based navigation, path planning, embedded control |
| Demonstration environment | ISS Astrobee robots (microgravity — zero-g validated) |
| Markets served | Inspection, refueling, life extension, ORU, debris removal, logistics, manufacturing, station tourism |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Canada |
| Funding | > $575,000 CAD from Canadian Space Agency |