Real-time berthing simulator for space station and space shuttle

Article Abstract:

A real-time pilot-in-the-loop berthing simulator is being developed at NASA/JSC (National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center) to conduct a berthing study and to measure forces during contact conditions of the actual docking hardware mechanisms or ports for the Space Station Freedom (SSF) and the Space Shuttle (shuttle). In berthing, the docking ports of the SSF and the shuttle are brought together using the shuttle Remote Manipulator System (RMS) to control the relative motion of the vehicles. The berthing simulator consists of a dynamic docking test system (DDTS), computer system, simulator software, and RMS workstation. During the real-time berthing simulation, the docking ports of the SSF and the shuttle, mounted on a six-degree-of-freedom (6 DOF) table of the DDTS and a fixed platform above the table, are brought together by a computer simulated 6DOF shuttle RMS. Load cells are used on the fixed platform to measure forces during contact conditions of the docking ports. The point of resolution (POR) of the shuttle RMS is selected as the SSF docking port. The dynamic initialization, developed to synchronize the POR with the 6 DOF table, the data structure, and the real-time sequence of the berthing simulation are briefly described in this paper. The berthing test can be extended for any two orbiting vehicles, using a simulated RMS. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Robots, Human Factors

---

Space station rendezvous and berthing

Article Abstract:

This paper describes the application of Johnson Space Center's Systems Engineering Simulator to model a complex spacecraft rendezvous and capture scenario. In this real-time scenario, an operator in one space vehicle made use of a telerobotic manipulator to capture and berth another, smaller vehicle. The goals of the study were to determine if the task could be reliably completed and to provide design and performance data on the manipulator. The study results demonstrate that it is feasible to use a telerobotic manipulator to berth an incoming Shuttle to Space Station Freedom. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Robot Arms

---

The role of JSC engineering simulation in the Apollo program

Article Abstract:

Presently, the Space Exploration Initiative has captured the attention of the manned space community. The approach to the accomplishment of such a demanding mission causes recall of the development of the Apollo mission, the synergism with the SEI, and the role that JSC's Engineering Simulations took in the Lunar Landing systems definition and development. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: NASA's big push for the space station. Titan calling. Russia's space program: running on empty
• Abstracts: Doing the genome thing. Physics for chemists. An inspiring story
• Abstracts: Expert observers define top priorities to ensure safe and accessible skies. Improving the world's largest, most advanced system: a system-wide upgrade races to replace two-decade-old equipment
• Abstracts: Digital video: television, communications, and computer specialists are working to unsnarl the exchange of material in any video format
• Abstracts: Computers and ICs: leading in notebooks, laptops, memory chips. The main event

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.