Project Title:

A Gravity Compensation System for Simulation of On-Orbit Telerobotic Operations

05.03-0661
900905
A Gravity Compensation System for Simulation of On-Orbit Telerobotic Operations

Abstract:

The goal of this project is a three-dimensional, electromechanical gravity compensation
system for the purpose of duplicating on-orbit telerobotic operations. The project
objectives are to develop the concept to the point that the system parameters will
allow, as a baseline, a full-scale flight version of the Space Station Flight Telerobotic
Servicer to be manipulated with robust gravity compensation in a typical high-bay
facility. Further objectives are to determine the range of the system operational
envelope to determine the parameters of the control and sensing systems, and to validate
system design aspects through breadboard hardware planning, design, fabrication,
and testing. The results of this effort will be Level 1 concept and developmental
design drawings (per DoD Directive 1000B) of the system. This innovation will provide
NASA with a low-cost method to approximate more closely on-orbit telerobotic activities
that are not well duplicated in a traditional neutral buoyancy environment.
The low-cost proposed telerobotic simulator system will facilitate the development
and implementation of satellite servicing operations which in turn is expected to
reduce satellite unit cost thus improving the competitive posture of American satellite
manufacturers.
gravity compensation, flight telerobotic servicer, electromechanical, neutral buoyancy