Multi-sensor Testing for Automated Rendezvous and Docking

During the past two years, many sensors have been tested in an open-loop fashion in the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Flight Robotics Laboratory (FRL) to both determine their suitability for use in Automated Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) systems and to ensure the test facility is prepared for future multi-sensor testing. The primary focus of this work was in support of the CEV AR&D system, because the AR&D sensor technology area was identified as one of the top risks in the program. In 2006, four different sensors were tested individually or in a pair in the MSFC FRL. In 2007, four sensors, two each of two different types, were tested simultaneously. In each set of tests, the target was moved through a series of pre-planned trajectories while the sensor tracked it. In addition, a laser tracker "truth" sensor also measured the target motion. The tests demonstrated the functionality of testing four sensors simultaneously as well as the capabilities (both good and bad) of all of the different sensors tested. This paper outlines the test setup and conditions, briefly describes the facility, summarizes the earlier results of the individual sensor tests, and describes in some detail the results of the four-sensor testing. Post-test analysis includes data fusion by minimum variance estimation and sequential Kalman filtering. This Sensor Technology Project work was funded by NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program

Development of a Pilot Training Program for Middle School Students to Reduce End-User Cyber Vulnerabilities

This qualitative study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on cybersecurity in middle schools beyond awareness programs. The purpose was to develop a pilot training module for middle school students comprising an analysis of public documents to examine what topics should be included in a pilot training program to reduce problematic cyber practices. Attitude functional theory was used as the conceptual framework to provide insights into the process of persuading a positive behavioral change in a targeted group that is sustainable. A systematic analysis of national, state, and local public documents was conducted to compare practices, including a K–12 data breach national report, to understand what topics should be included in the pilot training module. The findings showed the need for training programs to further awareness; lead to positive outcomes, such as persuading students to take a more active role in their online safety; go beyond awareness training; and motivate students to sustain a positive behavioral change. A recommended implementation framework is described along with a pamphlet and corresponding Canvas module divided into quarterly lessons. These lessons are designed to ensure a positive social change by motivating and increasing student knowledge, targeting the middle school age range to reduce end-user cyber vulnerabilities

Orbital Express Advanced Video Guidance Sensor

In May 2007 the first US fully autonomous rendezvous and capture was successfully performed by DARPA's Orbital Express (OE) mission. Since then, the Boeing ASTRO spacecraft and the Ball Aerospace NEXTSat have performed multiple rendezvous and docking maneuvers to demonstrate the technologies needed for satellite servicing. MSFC's Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (AVGS) is a primary near-field proximity operations sensor integrated into ASTRO's Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System (ARCSS), which provides relative state knowledge to the ASTRO GN&C system. This paper provides an overview of the AVGS sensor flying on Orbital Express, and a summary of the ground testing and on-orbit performance of the AVGS for OE. The AVGS is a laser-based system that is capable of providing range and bearing at midrange distances and full six degree-of-freedom (6DOF) knowledge at near fields. The sensor fires lasers at two different frequencies to illuminate the Long Range Targets (LRTs) and the Short Range Targets (SRTs) on NEXTSat. Subtraction of one image from the other image removes extraneous light sources and reflections from anything other than the corner cubes on the LRTs and SRTs. This feature has played a significant role for Orbital Express in poor lighting conditions. The very bright spots that remain in the subtracted image are processed by the target recognition algorithms and the inverse-perspective algorithms, to provide 3DOF or 6DOF relative state information. Although Orbital Express has configured the ASTRO ARCSS system to only use AVGS at ranges of 120 m or less, some OE scenarios have provided opportunities for AVGS to acquire and track NEXTSat at greater distances. Orbital Express scenarios to date that have utilized AVGS include a berthing operation performed by the ASTRO robotic arm, sensor checkout maneuvers performed by the ASTRO robotic arm, 10-m unmated operations, 30-m unmated operations, and Scenario 3-1 anomaly recovery. The AVGS performed very well during the pre-unmated operations, effectively tracking beyond its 10-degree Pitch and Yaw limit-specifications, and did not require I-LOAD adjustments before unmated operations. AVGS provided excellent performance in the 10-m unmated operations, effectively tracking and maintaining lock for the duration of this scenario, and showing good agreement between the short and long range targets. During the 30-m unmated operations, the AVGS continuously tracked the SRT to 31.6 m, exceeding expectations, and continuously tracked the LRT from 8.8 m out to 31.6 m, with good agreement between these two target solutions. After this scenario was aborted at a 10-m separation during remate operations, the AVGS tracked the LRT out 54.3 m, until the relative attitude between the vehicles was too large. The vehicles remained apart for eight days, at ranges from 1 km to 6 km. During the approach to remate in this recovery operation, the AVGS began tracking the LRT at 150 m, well beyond the OE planned limits for AVGS ranges, and functioned as the primary sensor for the autonomous rendezvous and docking

Next Generation Advanced Video Guidance Sensor: Low Risk Rendezvous and Docking Sensor

The Next Generation Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (NGAVGS) is being built and tested at MSFC. This paper provides an overview of current work on the NGAVGS, a summary of the video guidance heritage, and the AVGS performance on the Orbital Express mission. This paper also provides a discussion of applications to ISS cargo delivery vehicles, CEV, and future lunar applications

Walking and Jogging for Fitness (GHC)

This Grants Collection for Walking and Jogging for Fitness was created under a Round Seven ALG Textbook Transformation Grant. Affordable Learning Georgia Grants Collections are intended to provide faculty with the frameworks to quickly implement or revise the same materials as a Textbook Transformation Grants team, along with the aims and lessons learned from project teams during the implementation process. Documents are in .pdf format, with a separate .docx (Word) version available for download. Each collection contains the following materials: Linked Syllabus Initial Proposal Final Reporthttps://oer.galileo.usg.edu/health-collections/1006/thumbnail.jp

Walking and Jogging for Fitness

This open textbook for Walking and Jogging for Fitness at Georgia Highlands College was created through a Round Seven ALG Textbook Transformation Grant and updated with a Round 14 Mini-Grant. Topics covered include: Benefits of Walking and Jogging for Exercise Getting Started in a Walking and Jogging Program Adaptations to Stress Technique: The Art of Walking and Jogging Nutrition and Energy Requirements Injuries and Injury Prevention Appendix on Flexibility 2nd Edition: Editors\u27 Description: The deliverables of the mini grant were: 1. Mini-lecture recordings to aid in focusing the efforts of students by offering an overview of the chapter content. 2. PowerPoint slides for all chapters which align with the textbook to augment the content and increase the learning experience for students. 3. Chapter terminology checklists to provide an informational foundation for content. 4. Homework test questions for all chapters so that students can test their knowledge and identify content gaps. 5. Recorded visual demonstrations for activity-based exercise Labs that can be accessed as many times as is necessary to increase the understanding of performance expectations, and serve as a clear reference point for students.https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/health-textbooks/1004/thumbnail.jp

A 21‐year analysis of stage I gallbladder carcinoma: is cholecystectomy alone adequate?

AbstractObjectivesGallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a rare disease that is often diagnosed incidentally in its early stages. Simple cholecystectomy is considered the standard treatment for stage I GBC. This study was conducted in a large cohort of patients with stage I GBC to test the hypothesis that the extent of surgery affects survival.MethodsThe National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried to identify patients in whom microscopically confirmed, localized (stage I) GBC was diagnosed between 1988 and 2008. Surgical treatment was categorized as cholecystectomy alone, cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection (C + LN) or radical cholecystectomy (RC). Age, gender, race, ethnicity, T1 sub‐stage [T1a, T1b, T1NOS (T1 not otherwise specified)], radiation treatment, extent of surgery, cause of death and survival were assessed by log‐rank and Cox's regression analyses.ResultsOf 2788 patients with localized GBC, 1115 (40.0%) had pathologically confirmed T1a, T1b or T1NOS cancer. At a median follow‐up of 22 months, 288 (25.8%) had died of GBC. Five‐year survival rates associated with cholecystectomy, C + LN and RC were 50%, 70% and 79%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that surgical treatment and younger age were predictive of improved disease‐specific survival (P < 0.001), whereas radiation therapy portended worse survival (P = 0.013).ConclusionsIn the largest series of patients with stage I GBC to be reported, survival was significantly impacted by the extent of surgery (LN dissection and RC). Cholecystectomy alone is inadequate in stage I GBC and its use as standard treatment should be reconsidered

Update on Local Processing in Iowa: Ethanol and Soybean Processing

Local processing of corn and soybeans in Iowa continues to expand production of food, feed, and fuel products. Opportunities for farmers to sell crops locally to processing plants as well as grain handling facilities are expanding. Iowa farmers are expected to produce in 2007 2,511,000 bu of corn and 443,000 bu of soybeans. With the rapid expansion ofbiofuels production, Iowa has become the national leader in both ethanol and biodiesel production. These two products alone offer markets for 43% of Iowa\u27s corn production and the oil from 42% of Iowa\u27s soybeans. Biodiesel differs from ethanol in that biodiesel uses one of two primary soybean crush products rather than raw grain