The Huazhong University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Shanghai Institute of Space Power Sources, has successfully conducted the first remote-controlled laser cutting experiment outside the Chinese space station. This operation marks a significant advancement in orbital maintenance and equipment manufacturing capabilities.
The project required overcoming challenges related to vacuum conditions, high radiation, and extreme temperature fluctuations. The research team developed the necessary hardware, including an 8+2 axis multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism and a multi-stage visual guidance system, to achieve micrometer-level precision in space.
The development process from initial design to the final flight-ready unit was completed in just one year. This laser maintenance device allows for remote operations, shifting away from previous maintenance methods that relied exclusively on manual extravehicular activities by astronauts.
Space debris, moving at speeds between 7 and 10 kilometers per second, poses a constant threat to station equipment like solar wings. This new laser technology provides a critical solution for repairing damage caused by such impacts, ensuring the long-term safety and operational efficiency of space facilities.
