Gecko Gripper Research Paper

The adhesion device, the gecko gripper was sent into orbit at the International Space Station to observe its abilities and designs, but for a short duration. The redesign of the gecko gripper experiment would focus on the functionality in the daily lives of the astronauts as well as other opportunities to implement the device in conjunction with the LEMUR, the Limbed Excursion Mechanical Utility Robot to operate in reparations to the spacecraft. Additional equipment would be needed to support the LEMUR, but no further equipment would be needed as the gecko grippers would arrive fully functional and reusable. The addition of the gecko gripper, although different at first, should not majorly inconvenience any crew member when required usage occurs.
NASA has managed to replicate the effect in a technology called “gecko grippers” (Landau, E. 2015). The so called gecko grippers are a result of the advances in adhesion technology to develop a reliable and reusable cost efficient way to address problems the astronauts must deal with, as well as open up new opportunities to increase our authority in space. After the recently finished tested aboard the International Space Station, it has allowed the opportunity for further experiments to be done like with in grappling objects in space and even perhaps even clearing the debris left from previous missions.For a long duration version, the gecko grippers will be tested by the astronauts for their efficiency and functionality under the effect of microgravity to properly assess any problems in the design or science before allowing the incorporation of the technology into more widespread forms (Escobedo, V. M., Jr.
For a long duration experiment, there must an addition of a time component, as in time devoted to the experiment in observation and action and a total duration which implies that results will change over a period of time. To test the gecko grippers and the Van der Waal forces under the pressures of space and daily use inside the ISS in microgravity.On Earth, the gecko grippers were attached to and unattached from thousands of time with no effect on their capability. There should be tests of the use of the gecko grippers under microgravity for a long duration of time as well as a control to properly assess any changes. If proven to remain effective for the duration, it will allow NASA and the ISS to incorporate the adhesive into other technology as well as daily use. Due to the further capabilities of robotics, the gecko grippers will allow for robotic maintenance instead of human spacewalks which will limit unnecessary risks, and will not cause any damage due to the force needed to adhere to another surface is only two pounds.and the force to release is only two pounds as well. Another problem which the gecko grippers may be able to address is that on the ISS is gravity which often causes equipment to float away in the middle of an experiment. The gecko grippers will allow for objects to remain stationary