Robonauts join "spacewalk squad"

Researchers recently tested the use of robots working alongside astronauts during extravehicular activities. The test was conducted at NASA-Johnson by the Automation, Robotics, and Simulation Division in the center's Engineering Directorate. The "Robonauts" are designed to manipulate tools and perform functions that require dexterity that is difficult for astronauts to achieve in space suits.     

Learning from living in space

The current state of space life sciences knowledge and research is described. Findings about the health of astronauts in space are reviewed and a plea is made by some former astronauts to increase the amount of research being conducted. Longitudinal studies of the long term effects of space travel, especially radiation exposure, are being conducted and have yet to show any ill effects. Current research focuses are discussed, including Neurolab, an upcoming shuttle mission devoted to neurological and vestibular research. Experiment and spacecraft hardware is discussed, as are future directions in research. Partnership with Russian space life sciences investigators is also underway.     

Conversations. With Norman Thagard [interview by Johan Benson

This article is an interview with U.S. astronaut Norman Thagard. He was on the Russian Mir 18 mission. Launched to the space station from Baikonur on March 14, 1995, he returned to Earth on the Shuttle 115 days later. With the completion of that mission, Thagard holds the U.S. record for the most time spent in space. Topics of discussion during the interview include: the cultural isolation faced by an American astronaut on a Russian space facility; the physiological and psychological effects of long-duration space flight; the problems of loss of bone and the radiation environment; readaptation to gravity on Earth; and, recommendations to the designers of the Alpha station.     

The loneliness of the long-duration astronaut

This paper investigates the psychological implications of long duration spaceflight. Initial psychological problems associated with a heavy workload were identified during Skylab missions. Since then, most of our knowledge of psychological problems has come from experience onboard Russian spacecraft. Noted problems include anxiety, boredom, crew interactions, problems associated with isolation and confinement, and others. Efforts to alleviate or prevent these problems are discussed, as well as comparisons to similar environments such as arctic regions or submarines. As the U.S. participates in longer space missions, it will be wise to study psychological issues and to learn from our Russian counterparts.     

Learning from Mir's mishaps

Problems on Mir during 1997 are reviewed and their impact on continued use of the station and long-term presence of American astronauts is explored. Changes in U.S.-Russian communication are noted.     

多关节脚限位装置机构设计与仿真分析

对在空间微重力环境下,通过连接空间机械臂来固定和支撑航天员在轨维修操作的多关节脚限位器装置进行研究。多关节脚限位器装置限制航天服的靴子防止航天员脱离脚限位器,同时为航天员在轨维修操作提供多个自由度的调节范围。对多关节脚限位器装置的多关节结构进行设计与分析,针对某些特定动作进行运动学仿真,并进行试验验证。此外,还对关节运动范围进行了分析,使用Adams软件对载荷限制单元防冲击载荷与缓慢变化载荷的能力进行了仿真分析。     

Lunar photography: Techniques and results

Conclusion The lunar photography missions have included flyby, impacter, lander, and orbiter spacecrafts. These missions have provided photographs of the far side of the moon and a ten-fold increase in frontside resolution plus higher resolution of selected frontside areas. The resolutions which have been achieved vary from 1 m for the Lunar Orbiter to 1/2 m for the impacting Ranger to millimeters for Luna-IX and the Surveyors. The return from these missions have resolved much of the mystery surrounding the moon.The prime objective of the U.S. photographic missions has been the support of the Apollo-manned lunar landing program. The Ranger program, the Surveyor program, and the Lunar Orbiter program provided a logical progression in the utilization of a developing space exploration technology. These programs have provided the required information and have confirmed that the Apollo landing vehicle design is compatible with the conditions to be experienced on selected areas of the lunar surface.The future manned landing missions can be expected to provide additional lunar photography. Since the astronauts can be more selective in their photography, even more outstanding and informative results should be achieved. The addition of movies and even live television coverage will permit earth-based man to share more directly in the manned exploration of the moon.The unmanned photographic exploration of the moon has provided much of the technology required for similar missions to the planets. The U.S. Mariner-IV was the first successful mission to obtain close-up photographs of the planet Mars. It can be expected that both the U.S.A. and Russia will try for further photographic successes in the exploration of our solar system.This paper presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under Contract No. NAS 7-100, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.     

人工神经网络技术在舱外航天服自动温控系统中的应用

介绍了舱外航天服手动温度控制存在的问题,分析了已有的航天服自动温控方案。采用人工神经网络的反向传播算法,以氧气的消耗量、全身出汗量、心率、液冷服的出口水温及出入口的水温差等５个参数作为输入,以液冷服冷却水的入口温度为输出,建立了舱外航天服的自动温控系统的人工神经网络模型。并讨论了反向传播算法及网络构造。结果表明,人工神经网络技术为解决舱外航天服自动温度控制提供了一条新途径。     

U. S. Navy in Space: Past, Present, and Future

The announcement last summer of the establishment of the U. S. Navy Space Command, and its subsequent activation at Dahlgren, Va., in October 1983, may have come as a surprise to some. This, however, was the latest of a series of actions taken by the Department of the Navy over the last several years to consolidate the Navy's space efforts. In fact, since the beginning of the Space Age, the Navy has been interested in space and involved in space-related activities. Its contributions in space science and technology have been significant. Driven by a realization that space assets are exceptionally well matched to its global mission, the Navy has become a major user of space. Primary areas of current activity include command, control, and communication and navigation and collection of environmental information. The Navy's operational use of space systems, the nature of the evolving Soviet threat (both air and space) directed in a large measure at U. S. naval targets, and the recent advances made in space technology, all argue for an increased level of Navy involvement in future Department of Defense space activities to secure Navy interests. As viewed by Navy decision-makers, this increased level of involvement will be selective in nature, emphasizing space research and development and operations that are considered vital to Navy interests.     

近地空间航天员训练视景真实感渲染技术研究

载人航天任务中,地面模拟训练是培养提升航天员操作技能的重要手段。视景系统是航天飞行训练模拟的重要组成部分,高逼真度的仿真场景对提升航天员训练效果有重要的意义。针对空间视景仿真场景调度和渲染的特殊性,提出并设计实现视景仿真软件的总体架构。对影响空间场景真实感的地球纹理数据库的生成和调度技术、大气散射仿真技术、场景光照实时渲染等关键技术进行研究,融合各种方法,在视景仿真系统中基于GPU实现。试验验证表明,实现算法准确,模型设计合理,已经应用于航天员的训练中。     

中性浮力和失重环境人体运动仿真比较研究

为了模拟失重状态,航天技术发达的国家都建立了用于航天员出舱活动训练的中性浮力水槽。但与太空失重环境相比,水中存在的水动阻力会导致两种环境下人体运动反馈的差异性。基于ADAMS多体动力学仿真软件,按照“飞天”舱外航天服的质量分布,建立了着舱外服人体动力学模型。利用此模型仿真比较了水下和失重环境中肘关节屈伸、肩内收外展、肩矢状面内运动时人体躯干的动力学反馈,发现水下环境中模型躯干的转动速度峰值和平均值均较大。研究结果已应用于神舟七号载人飞行任务出舱活动航天员训练,建立的航天员人体动力学模型可应用于我国未来空间站任务出舱活动仿真分析。     

Lunar orbital science

Summary Orbital science has, to the present, concentrated on studies of force fields, particles, and visible photography. Cameras have been the major scientific instrument (it could be debated that for geodesy and gravity the entire spacecraft represents an instrument), and geology has been the principle benefactor. Photography has also been essential for the manned landing program, which would not have been possible on the schedule followed without the detailed Lunar Orbiter pictures.Orbital tracking data indicates that the Moon is almost homogeneous with perhaps a slight increase in density with depth. Significant analysis of the higher gravity harmonics have identified localized, near surface gravity highs that appear to be associated with circular maria. The Moon does not have a significant magnetic field of its own, and the solar wind appears to impinge directly on the surface. Russian and United States evidence on micrometeorite fluxes near the Moon is conflicting, but probably there is a decrease in flux compared to that near the Earth.Photographic evidence indicates that both impact and volcanic action has shaped the lunar surface. Mass movements of surface material and surface erosional effects are clearly evident. Surface water in the past, or near surface permafrost now, are definite possibilities to explain the sinuous rills. Faulting, both regional and local, is evident, as is probably horizontal layering near the surface.The United States space program is embarking on a broad program of orbital science including nearly the entire spectra of remote sensing. Approved orbital missions extend through 1972 and will be carried out in conjunction with manned landings. Emphasis will be placed on determining the extent and degree of surface variations between and within lunar provinces and the nature and strength of the lunar spectrum. Information obtained from the surface missions and the returned lunar samples will be invaluable in helping us to design orbital instruments and interpret the results.Missions after 1972 undoubtedly will carry more sophisticated instruments that will give us definitive information on the geochemical nature of the lunar surface and interior.Copies of NASA-issued documents may be obtained by writing to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Information about, and data from, U.S. space missions, including photographs, can be obtained from the National Space Science Data Center, Code 601, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771.     

Psychological health maintenance on Space Station Freedom

The scheduling of crew rotations for up to 180 days on Space Station Freedom presents a special challenge for behavioral scientists who are tasked with providing psychological support for the crews, their families, and mission flight controllers. Preflight psychological support planning may minimize the negative impact of psychological and social issues on mission success, as well as assist NASA management in making real-time mission planning decisions in the event of a significant social event (for example, the death of a family member). During flight, the combined psychological, emotional, and social stressors on the astronauts must be monitored, along with other aspects of their health. The Health Maintenance Facility (HMF) will have the capability of providing preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic assistance for significant psychiatric and interpersonal problems which may develop. Psychological support will not end with the termination of the mission. Mental health professionals must be part of the team of medical personnel whose job will be to facilitate the transition--physical and mental--from the space environment back to planet Earth. This paper reviews each phase of mission planning for Space Station Freedom and specifies those factors that may be critical for psychological health maintenance on extended-duration space missions.     

Future space suit design considerations

Future space travel to the moon and Mars will present new challenges in space suit design. This paper examines the impact that working on the surface environment of the moon and Mars will have on the requirements of space suits. In particular, habitat pressures will impact suit weight and design. Potential structural materials are explored, as are the difficulties in designing a suit to withstand the severe dust conditions expected.     

具有冗余度的三分支空间机器人的运动学分析

基于例如空间站等恶劣的应用环境,研制了一种具有冗余度的三分支空间机器人。该机器人的一个分支的末端可以和基座固联,另外两个分支可以进行控制来完成各种作业。在宇航员不在的情况下,该机器人可以代替宇航员对科学实验载荷进行操作。利用旋量理论对机器人的逆运动学进行了分析,并建立了统一的数学模型给出了其运动学优化、动力学优化以及容错控制的理论基础。基于球腕的封闭解,提出了一个简单的逆运动学模型。最后,通过计算机结果演示验证了所提出逆运动学模型的有效性。     

Present needs,capabilities, and future prospects in rocket technology for space research

The paper is a review of the past, present, and future of rocket technology, relating these to the propulsion requirements for exploration of the solar system. It reviews the U.S.A. approach to planning its launch-vehicle programs for space exploration, covers the present capabilities of the U.S.A. family of launch vehicles, and discusses some technology possibilities for future propulsion systems.     

Bumpy ride back to space

Plans for U.S. return to the International Space Station via STS-114 are described with emphasis on safety of flight hardware and safety of the space station and the space shuttle.     

International Space Station power storage upgrade planned

As the Earth-orbit International Space Station (ISS) grows, it needs more power which is generated by solar panels. For periods in which the planet Earth occults sunlight, energy is stored in the biggest set of batteries ever flown in space. Reliability of power is important in a space station because a failure requires costly launch of replacement components. Even greater importance results when astronauts work in the station. A power failure that causes the astronauts to perish would be a very serious event. The first battery-containing "integrated equipment module" was launched November 30, 2000 and installed on port 6 of the International Space Station. Two more modules will be launched by the United States; to be launched in 2004 is the European Space Agency's "attached COLUMBUS APM laboratory," which will have its own power system. Unexpected battery-related events occurred in the integrated equipment module during its first year-and-a-half in orbit. The problems and their solutions were described in papers presented at the 37/sup th/ Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference. Since the International Space Station carries more battery cells than any other spacecraft, the in-flight performance data from its battery assembly can be useful to engineers who design power supplies for other spacecraft. We, therefore, summarize the battery development process, the adopted design, and an unexpected in-flight battery degradation and its correction.     

一个超冗余度移动操作臂机器人系统的实现与运动控制

冗余度或超冗余度移动操作臂机器人可在空间站上为宇航员提供很大的帮助.对一个超冗余度移动操作臂机器人系统的设计和实现作了介绍,这个系统由一个8自由度的模块机器人和一个1自由度的电机驱动的导轨组成;对该系统的逆运动学解法进行了讨论,提出了一种基于避关节极限与位形优化的简化逆运动学控制方法;并提供了仿真和实验结果.     

Optimal motion cueing algorithm for accelerating phase of manned spacecraft in human centrifuge

This paper presents a novel optimal Motion Cueing Algorithm (MCA) to control the rotations of a Human Centrifuge (HC) and achieve the best simulation of a SpaceCraft (SC) motion. Relations of the specific forces sensed by astronauts of the SC and the HC have been derived and linearized. A Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller is implemented for the problem which tends to minimize the error between the two sensed specific forces as well as control input in a cost function. It results in control inputs of the HC to generate its sensed specific force as close as possible to the one in the SC. The algorithm is implemented for both linearized and nonlinear portions of a US space shuttle mission trajectory as a verification using MATLAB. In longitudinal direction, the proposed MCA, works well when the acceleration is less than 2g in which the tracking error does not exceed 12%. In lateral direction the tracking is much better even in nonlinear region since the error remains less than 7% for tilting up to 50°. Finally, the effect of weight matrixes in the LQR cost function on overall weight and power of the HC motion system is discussed.