ITALIAN-ASTRONAUT PERSONAL EYE (I-APE)
Research Area: Small Satellites and Control Technologies
Expedition(s): 27- 28
Principal Investigator(s): ● Giorgia Pontetti, G & A Engineering, srl, Oricola (AQ), Italy
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Italian-Astronaut Personal Eye (I-APE) is a
demonstration test created for the
development of an autonomous micro-vehicle
that will be used to support the International
Space Station (ISS) crew IVA (Intra-Vehicular
Activity) and EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity)
operations. The micro-vehicle can be powered
by lithium ion batteries and controlled by a
microprocessor receiving inputs from IMUs
(Inertial Measuring Units) based on
measurements obtained from gyroscopes.
EARTH BENEFITS
This investigation could be used for educational purposes and to inspire future generations to
pursue a career in the development of autonomous micro-vehicles.
SPACE BENEFITS
The I-APE investigation provides space micro-aircraft as aid to the astronaut corps during IVA
and EVA operations. It also employs company-developed technologies and solutions that use
specialized components standard to the market; therefore, it is a low-cost solution for space.
RESULTS
There are no published results.
This investigation is complete; however additional results are pending publication.
Illustration of the APE hardware. ASI image.