Enabling Technologies for a Low-Cost, Deployable Inspection Satellite

Inspection for high-value spacecraft currently rely on either one-off missions, limited robot-arm surveys, re-supply visits, or extravehicular activities (EVA). A deployable, expendable, autonomous inspector CubeSat would allow data to be gathered immediately, more regularly, and without the risk of an EVA. Several key technologies must be developed to enable such an inspector to be safe, feasible, and affordable; some of these technologies will be discussed in this paper, along with future avenues of research. As future space habitats are designed and flown, the need for inspection will increase and designing these habitats with inspection in mind will result in safer spacecraft.