Space construction results - The EASE/ACCESS flight experiment

Abstract

NASA ground and flight test activities aimed at the development of in-space construction techniques for the assembly of Space-Station-sized structures are described. In particular, attention is given to the EASE and ACCESS flight experiments, the ground and water tank program, and operations in-flight including instrumentations. The baseline experiments demonstrate that erectable structures can be assembled effectively by astronauts in EVA. The average assembly time for a 45-foot truss was 25.5 minutes; the assembly rate was 3.6 struts per minute.