TESSERAE + Ax-1 Mission
Testing robotic, modular self-assembly in orbit
TESSERAE tiles float in the ISS cupola. Image credit: Ax-1 crew/ISS
TESSERAE (Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments)
On April 08, 2022, the latest iteration of TESSERAE tiles were launched on Ax-1, Axiom’s research mission to the International Space Station. This first-ever private ISS mission was flown in partnership with SpaceX, and TESSERAE was among the 25 experiments on the 10-day mission.
Named after the small tiles in ancient Roman mosaics, the modular TESSERAE tiles can join to create a larger structure. TESSERAE tiles pack flat for launch; once activated, they form a robotic swarm of autonomous and self-assembling units used for on-demand construction, with future applications ranging from an extra room on a space station, to parabolic mirrors, to a home base on other worlds.
The prototypes tested on the Ax-1 mission include an extensive suite of sensing and electro-permanent magnets that monitor diagnostics—providing insight into the quality of bonds between tiles—and drive conformations. This scaled demonstration will build on previous microgravity evaluations of the TESSERAE experiment to explore a new frontier for in-orbit construction of satellites and future space habitats.
“This test on Ax-1 marks the first time TESSERAE tiles will navigate autonomous docking in a large, open volume—a major functionality milestone in our R&D roadmap,” says Ariel Ekblaw, Aurelia Institute founder and CEO, and TESSERAE’s inventor and project lead. “We're honored to be part of this historic civilian mission to the ISS and directly participate in the expansion of growing commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. We are delighted to be working with Axiom on next-generation space architecture technology and look forward to future collaborations as we mature the TESSERAE tiles further and scale up in size.” — Ariel Ekblaw
Ax-1 Mission Update: Interview with Ariel Ekblaw and the Ax-1 crew, April 15, 2022