Engineering topics

Whitsett, C. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Whitsett, C. E..

6 records

NASA NTRS1992

EVA results of Shuttle Mission STS-37

The paper summarizes EVA results of the STS-37 mission that flew in April 1991, with emphasis on the unscheduled EVA to free the Compton GRO antenna. The EVA Development Flight Experiment (EDFE) objectives and equipment description are also presented. The EDFE consisted of three experiments conducted during STS-37 to evaluate both designs of crew translation equipment and loads imparted by crew members while performing typical EVA work site tasks for Space Station Freedom. The experiments were used to evaluate static and dynamic loads and ease of operation of four separate translation systems operating on a fixed track. Various measures of performance of the crew equipment and translation aids are discussed. The rates and accelerations experienced during translation aided by the manipulator foot restraint and remote manipulator system were found to be comfortable.

Whitsett, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

New tools for EVA operations

Effective extravehicular-activity (EVA) operations depend upon having the proper tools from simple wrenches to smart powered socket drives to powered adjustable foot restraints. The Space Shuttle carries a standard toolkit in the cargo bay for emergencies. Many special tools have been developed for the recent satellite repair missions; i.e., Solar Max, Westar/Palapa, and Leasat. Many more are being developed to maintain the Hubble Space Telescope on orbit for 15 years. The EVA tools developed and used in space to date are summarized and some of the new tools now in development are described herein. Finally, the requirements are given for several additional tools which may be needed in the future.

Whitsett, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Role of the manned maneuvering unit for the Space Station

The performance specifications to be realized in the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) for Space Station operations will be the culmination of design efforts which began during the Gemini project. The types of MMUs which have been built and tested over the past two decades are described, including handheld, jet shoe, and initial rigid backpack configurations. Efforts to enhance the control laws and human factors aspects of the Skylab MMU to meet long-duration, flexible use Space Station requirements are summarized, noting the successes and deficiencies with the Shuttle MMU. The design requirements which must be met to allow the Space Station MMU to be used to perform rescue, transportation, inspection, assembly, contingency, and programmatic missions are explored.

Whitsett, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Recent Shuttle EVA operations and experience

This paper describes the hardware used and the experience gained during the Space Shuttle extravehicular activities (EVAs) or 'spacewalks' of 1984. Seven EVAs on four missions were conducted with objectives including hardware verification, satellite repair, hydrazine transfer, and satellite retrieval. The hardware used on these flights fall into two categories - general EVA hardware (e.g. the Manned Maneuvering Unit) and mission-unique hardware (e.g. apogee kick motor capture device, used to retrieve the WESTAR VI and PALAPA B-2 satellites). The successful completion of the mission objectives resulted in an increased knowledge of EVA operations and a broader base of Space Shuttle capabilities which are applicable to future operations.

Rogers, L. J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A detached experiment carrier aids adaptation of experiments from sounding rockets to Space Shuttle

The detached experiment carrier (DEC) system aids the adaptation of small, low-weight experiments to Space Shuttle missions. The carrier system consists of the detached experiment carrier (free-flyer), a command station at the Orbiter aft station, and a flight support station in the Orbiter payload bay. The carrier is a compact vehicle that is radio controlled by the Shuttle crew. It uses control television, command, and cold gas propulsion systems to deploy experiments from and later rendezvous with the Orbiter. The carrier propulsion system also maintains the attitude control required during experiment execution. Results of engineering investigation, analysis, component design and development, and testing indicate that the DEC system concept is practical. Results of preliminary engineering investigations, including maneuvering system handling qualities and television/telemetry display formats, indicate that the concept of flying the DEC 'out of' and 'into' the Orbiter payload bay is both safe and practical for small, compact free-flyer deployment and retrieval. This paper describes the carrier system, its operations, and potential applications.

Ritz, W. F.↗

NASA NTRS1974

On-orbit performance of the Skylab astronaut maneuvering research vehicle

The present work evaluates the results of flight tests of the Astronaut Maneuvering Research Vehicle (AMRV) conducted inside the Skylab Orbital Workshop. The vehicle is an autonomous mobility aid which allows the pilot to control his position and orientation in space without the necessity of reacting against the spacecraft. The purpose of the tests was to obtain operation experience and engineering/human performance data in a zero gravity environment, to correlate on-orbit data with simulation data, and to recommend a design configuration for future operational maneuvering units. Four different techniques for controlling AMRV dynamics were tested: hand-held maneuvering unit, direct, rate gyro, and control moment gyro operating modes.

Murtagh, T. B.↗