Hardware Podcasts

Designing Space Robots

The Robot Report Podcast · 11 Nov 2025 · 16m

What this episode covers

Chris Finger, a sales engineer for Harmonic Drive, discusses the technical challenges of designing space robots, focusing on the specific requirements for strain wave gearing in vacuum and extreme temperature environments. He details the shift from traditional high-reliability aerospace standards to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for LEO satellite constellations like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper. The conversation covers critical material science decisions, including the use of stainless steel for thermal stability, the supply chain pain points for certified bearings, and the trade-offs between weight optimization and mechanical precision.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Harmonic Drive, SpaceX
Products
Mariner 4, Apollo, Starlink, Project Kuiper, James Webb Space Telescope, Mars Exploration Rover
Also
AS 9100

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