Jul 21 2015
Medigus Ltd., a medical device company developing minimally invasive endosurgical tools and a leader in direct visualization technologies, announced today that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has successfully used Medigus' micro ScoutCam(TM) 1.2, the world's smallest camera, for the first time in space as part of NASA's Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot (VIPIR) tool.
VIPIR is a robotic, multi-capability inspection tool that is being tested as part of the Robotic Refueling Mission, an experiment on the International Space Station that has been demonstrating tools, technologies and techniques for on-orbit satellite servicing since 2011. micro ScoutCam(TM) 1.2, at a mere 1.2mm diameter in size, is being utilized as the borescope camera on VIPIR.
As part of the second phase of NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission, VIPIR, incorporating micro ScoutCam(TM) 1.2 at the end of a deployable video borescope, was used in May 2015 to demonstrate various camera inspection capabilities for NASA in space. VIPIR was launched to the International Space Station in July 2014 on board the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle 5.
"Partnering with NASA has been a tremendous experience and we are extremely proud that our innovative micro ScoutCam(TM) technology has helped NASA successfully execute this phase of their Robotic Refueling Mission," said Chris Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Medigus.
micro ScoutCam(TM) 1.2's versatility is supported by key features including its miniature size, remarkable image quality, state of the art customizable optics, waterproof materials, and its adaptability in extreme temperatures. It can be tailored for both medical and industrial applications.
"NASA is steadily maturing a set of robotic technologies that could help prolong the lives of satellites on orbit, thereby providing new capabilities for the Agency," said Benjamin Reed, deputy project manager of NASA's Satellite Servicing Capabilities Office. "Medigus' micro ScoutCam(TM) 1.2 met the requirements for VIPIR's borescope camera, and contributed towards our successful Robotic Refueling Mission operations."
"The entire process of working with NASA's talented team to tailor our micro ScoutCam(TM) technology to their specifications, to the result of micro ScoutCam(TM) 1.2's first use in space, has been both exciting and rewarding," said Yaron Silberman, VP Sales and Marketing, Medigus. "It is an accomplishment that truly showcases the camera's versatility and range of possible applications."
Watch a NASA video of VIPIR operations on orbit: https://youtu.be/O9bmZJATnJs.
NASA's Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot (VIPIR) is an inspection tool that includes a video borescope camera (bottom center of tool).
The VIPIR borescope camera successfully captured imagery as it worked its way through an obstacle course on an RRM task board.
The VIPIR video borescope, visible on orbit during RRM operations on the International Space Station. The red arrow points to the borescope camera.
Source: http://www.medigus.com/