# Designing Space Robots

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2025-11-11
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/designing-space-robots

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=7) Introduction: Chris Finger and Harmonic Drive's Space History
- [2:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=160) Commercial Space Trends: COTS vs. Traditional Aerospace
- [4:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=249) Environmental Constraints: Thermal Swings and Vacuum
- [5:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=349) Mission Profiles: Long-Life Satellites vs. Constellations
- [6:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=407) Lubrication Challenges: Greases, Dry Films, and Gold Plating
- [8:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=493) Technical Advantages: Zero Backlash and Reduction Ratios
- [9:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=560) Materials and Supply Chain: Stainless Steel and Bearing Sourcing
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=663) Weight Optimization vs. Structural Stability
- [12:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=741) Certification Standards: AS9100 and Traceability
- [13:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-11-designing-space-robots#t=825) Future Applications: In-Orbit Servicing and Resource Exploitation

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Harmonic Drive (company)
- Mariner 4 (product)
- Apollo (product)
- SpaceX (company)
- Starlink (product)
- Project Kuiper (product)
- James Webb Space Telescope (product)
- Mars Exploration Rover (product)
- AS 9100 (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Rube Goldbergs in Spaaaace](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-01-02-rube-goldbergs-in-spaaaace) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Same Wavelength](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-03-21-the-same-wavelength) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Chris Osterwood](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-01-14-an-interview-with-chris-osterwood) (The Amp Hour)
- [Our first in-person show](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-04-10-our-first-in-person-show) (The Amp Hour)
- [Episode 127: Robots exploring other planets - Frances Zhu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-03-episode-127-robots-exploring-other-planets-frances-zhu) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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