Issued patent
Visual Inspection Posable Invertebrate Robot (VIPIR)
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
On-orbit spacecraft maintenance and repair of components are critical for extending mission lifespans and ensuring operational safety. Traditional inspection methods, like astronaut extravehicular activities (EVAs), are risky and resource-intensive, while fixed cameras offer limited views. To address these challenges, innovators at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center developed the Visual Inspection Posable Invertebrate Robot (VIPIR) system, a tele-operated robotic imaging system offering advanced capabilities for visual assessments of space-based assets. VIPIR is a significant leap forward in the realm of on-orbit robotic inspection, evaluation, and servicing systems. Integrating a dexterous, flexible video borescope with advanced articulation mechanisms, VIPIR allows NASA to remotely inspect spacecraft components that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to view, enabling subsequent repairs and maintenance.