PhD Studentship: Robotic Assembly of Space Based Solar Power Stations

; University of Bristol, United Kingdom

Updated: 4 months ago
Location: Bristol, ENGLAND
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 31 Jan 2024

The project:

Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) describes the beaming back of solar power to Earth from space. To achieve the levels of power of a 2GW power station, a Space Based solar power station would need to collect solar power using to have kilometres of solar panels. The technical feasibility of SBSP depends critically on the ability to manufacture, assemble, maintain and recycle the system with robots. The variety and number of robotic systems needed will drive a demand for new optimised robotic assembly procedures. These techniques will then be available for the assembly of other very large space structures in orbit, as well as on planetary surfaces.

Aim

To develop an optimised method of assembling elements of a Space Based Solar Power Station using robotic/hybrid means.

Objectives of the project

  • Review of the state of the art (space and terrestrial) to identify gaps in knowledge and current and future approaches
  • Space Based Solar Power Robotics activity analysis
  • Investigation of possible methods for simulations, including both virtual (game engines and robotics simulation tools) and physical (testing in laboratory)
  • Investigate whether human-in-the-loop hybrid systems would offer advantages to assembly processes
  • Build a computer simulation of generalised assembly tasks such as the construction of structure, populating the structure with elements, deployment of mirrors, solar arrays and/or maintenance tasks such as inspection, repair and replacement of modules.
  • Apply new techniques in optimisation such as machine learning to optimise the assembly tasks, compare autonomous robots to hybrid systems.
  • Test the task in a physical environment (either at Bristol robotics laboratory or at European Space Agency robotics laboratory)
  • Apply to a use case of a specific assembly task provided by Thales Alenia Space.

    • How to apply:

    Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to contact the project supervisor to discuss. 

    Online applications are made at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply . Please select Aerospace Engineering PhD on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of the studentship in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form. 

    Candidate requirements:

    Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a pass at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree. 

    If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E 

    Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .

    Funding:

    This is a prestigious EPSRC iCASE studentship co-funded by Thales Alenia Space UK spacecraft manufacturers (Bristol Branch). The studentship covers full UK PhD tuition fees and a tax-free stipend topped up above the current UKRI rate (£18,622 in 2023/24) to a minimum of £21000 (increasing each year) for 4 years. The PhD comes with a generous allowance for equipment, software and conference travel.

    Contacts:  

    For questions about the research topic, please contact Prof Lucy Berthoud [email protected]

    For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact Engineering Postgraduate Research Admissions: [email protected]


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