Docking and retrieval mechanism

An engineering prototype docking and retrieval mechanism (DRM) which enables two spacecraft to dock and be structurally joined on-orbit is described. The joining of two spacecraft or payloads on-orbit supports future planned space activities such as payload servicing, deployment and retrieval, and assembly or large space systems. Advantages of the DRM include: it is a nonimpact docking mechanism; does not require impact absorbing mechanisms or attitude stabilization on the target spacecraft; is capable of docking to a spinning spacecraft; and can spin up and deploy a spinning spacecraft or payload

Astronaut Maneuvering Research Vehicle

The Astronaut Maneuvering Research Vehicle (AMRV) for use in the Skylab Experiment M509, Astronaut Maneuvering Equipment, is described. The AMRV enables investigation of several maneuvering devices and mobility techniques. The AMRV consists of two maneuvering unit configurations; a Hand Held Meneuvering Unit (HHMU) which provides manually oriented variable thrust control and an Automatically Stabilized Maneuvering Unit (ASMU) which provides fixed thrusters and three selectable attitude control and stabilization modes

Configuration and design study of manipulator systems applicable to the free flying teleoperator. Volume 1: Executive summary

A preliminary design of a manipulator system, applicable to a free flying teleoperator spacecraft operating in conjunction with the shuttle or tug, is presented. A new control technique is proposed for application to the manipulator system. This technique, a range/azimuth/elevation rate-rate mode, was selected based upon the results of man-in-the-loop simulations. Several areas are identified in which additional emphasis must be placed prior to the development of the manipulator system. The study results in a manipulator system which will provide an effective method for servicing, maintaining, and repairing satellites to increase their useful life

The Role, Rationale, and Economics of a Shuttle Derived Cargo Vehicle

The Space Transportation System is now operational and a new evolution of space activities is emerging. Space is an international frontier and will be pursued by many nations, individually and collectively. Commercial exploitation of space systems is increasing with international breadth. Launch services, formerly a government provided function, also are encountering an evolution. International competition is keen and plans proliferate for private industry involvement in this vital element of the space flight scenario. The United States has made good its commitment to develop and bring into operational status a STS to meet its own need as well as to provide launch services to industry and other nations. The STS has tremendous growth potential utilizing existing flight elements, production capacity, logistics systems and launch/flight operations facilities. This paper describes the growth potential, develops a rationale for a Shuttle Derived Cargo Vehicle and illustrates its role as well as the economic implications of its addition to the STS inventory of launch systems

Shuttle Derived Space Transportation The Next Step Beyond STS

This paper describes future space transportation launch vehicles presently under study by the NASA and DOD. The program activities of several recent and ongoing contracts have been merged to show insight into the present status and future plans for the United States space transportation system. Major emphasis is placed on a shuttle derived launch vehicle concept. This concept, using fully developed and tested space shuttle system hardware, allows early implementation of a low cost, low risk launch systems. Growth shuttle derived configurations, utilizing a building block concept to allow efficient optimization of a broad spectrum of performance capabilities, are also presented

2018 Top Trends in Academic Libraries

Every other year, the ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee produces a document on top trends in higher education as they relate to academic librarianship. Topics in this edition of ACRL Top Trends will be familiar to some readers who will hopefully learn of new materials to expand their knowledge. Other readers will be made aware of trends that are outside of their experience. This is the nature of trends in our current technological and educational environments: change is continual, but it affects different libraries at different rates. The 2018 top trends share several overarching themes, including the impact of market forces, technology, and the political environment on libraries

Synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals by subsequent implantation of Zn and O species

We report the preparation of ZnO nanocrystals embedded in a SiO2 matrix formed using sequential zinc and oxygen ion implantations. The optical absorption spectra and photoemission spectra of zinc implanted and zinc/oxygen coimplanted silica show that the first zinc implantation produces zinc clusters and that the subsequent oxygen implantation following the zinc implantation rearranges the distribution of zinc and oxygen ions at an atomic level. While thermal annealing of Zn only implanted silica leads to the formation of Zn nanocrystals, thermal annealing of zinc/oxygen coimplanted silica promotes the growth of ZnO nanocrystals. The absorption and photoluminescence spectra show that ZnO nanocrystals form in an amorphous SiO2 matrix and that their systematic change as a function of annealing temperature corresponds to the typical correlation between the increase of particle size and a redshift in near-band-edge emission.Peer reviewedMechanical and Aerospace Engineerin

Too Hot to Handle: An Evaluation of the Effect of Thermal Visual Representation on User Grasping Interaction in Virtual Reality

Influence of interaction fidelity and rendering quality on perceived user experience have been largely explored in Virtual Reality (VR). However, differences in interaction choices triggered by these rendering cues have not yet been explored. We present a study analysing the effect of thermal visual cues and contextual information on 50 participants' approach to grasp and move a virtual mug. This study comprises 3 different temperature cues (baseline empty, hot and cold) and 4 contextual representations; all embedded in a VR scenario. We evaluate 2 different hand representations (abstract and human) to assess grasp metrics. Results show temperature cues influenced grasp location, with the mug handle being predominantly grasped with a smaller grasp aperture for the hot condition, while the body and top were preferred for baseline and cold conditions