ANTS DEVELOPMENT ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

Full implementation of the ANTS concept requires technological developments in (1) intelligent systems, (2) autonomous movement for propulsion and assembly, (3) gossamer structures.

(1) Intelligent Systems areas requiring development include advanced autonomous systems, multi-agent systems, as well as high performance computing. We are currently involved in the ST-8 COTS high performance computing project, and using developments in that area to perform multi-agent system simulations for ANTS on a beowulf cluster.

(2) Autonomous propulsion is based on nodes, whether at the macro or nano scale, with the capability for addressability and reconfigurability. At Goddard, we are constructing a tetrahedral walker with such electromechanical nodes to demonstrate this concept.

(3) Gossamer structures ultimately require the use of Carbon nanotubule technology to really reduce mass and volume. Meanwhile we are working with colleagues at Morgan State University (through the FAR program) to develop MEMS technology for deployable structural elements, and with colleagues at Goddard to determine the requirements, capabilities, and design of Carbon Nanotubules for NEMS based nodes.