The Role of Robots and Automation in Space

Advanced space transportation systems based on the shuttle and interim upper stage will open the way to the use of large-scale industrial and commercial systems in space. The role of robot and automation technology in the cost-effective implementation and operation of such systems in the next two decades is discussed. Planning studies initiated by NASA are described as applied to space exploration, global services, and space industrialization, and a forecast of potential missions in each category is presented. The appendix lists highlights of space robot technology from 1967 to the present

Analysis of space vehicle structures using the transfer-function concept

Analysis of large complex systems is accomplished by dividing it into suitable subsystems and determining the individual dynamical and vibrational responses. Frequency transfer functions then determine the vibrational response of the whole system

Optimization of structures on the basis of fracture mechanics and reliability criteria

Systematic summary of factors which are involved in optimization of given structural configuration is part of report resulting from study of analysis of objective function. Predicted reliability of performance of finished structure is sharply dependent upon results of coupon tests. Optimization analysis developed by study also involves expected cost of proof testing

Finite element formulation for linear thermoviscoelastic materials

Report presents the finite difference equations in time and finite element matrix equations in space for general linear thermovisoelastic problems. The equations are derived for a general three-dimensional body but are applicable to one- and two-dimensional configurations with minor changes

Analytical procedure for estimating reliability of randomly excited structures

Analysis considers statistical variation of material strength and interactions between catastrophic and failure fatigue modes. Procedure employs concepts of fracture mechanics and extreme point processes associated with stationary narrow-band random vibrations

Optimum pressure vessel design based on fracture mechanics and reliability criteria

Optimization design methods for spacecraft structural systems and subsystem

Optimization of space antenna structures

Spacecraft antenna concepts, structural types, and material

VISCEL, a general-purpose computer program for analysis of linear viscoelastic structures. Volume 1 - User's manual

VISCEL computer program user manual for analysis of linear viscoelastic structure

Automation and robotics for the Space Exploration Initiative: Results from Project Outreach

A total of 52 submissions were received in the Automation and Robotics (A&R) area during Project Outreach. About half of the submissions (24) contained concepts that were judged to have high utility for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) and were analyzed further by the robotics panel. These 24 submissions are analyzed here. Three types of robots were proposed in the high scoring submissions: structured task robots (STRs), teleoperated robots (TORs), and surface exploration robots. Several advanced TOR control interface technologies were proposed in the submissions. Many A&R concepts or potential standards were presented or alluded to by the submitters, but few specific technologies or systems were suggested

Research Notes : United States : Enhancing seed set in Glycine falcata

Research using wild relatives of the soybean, such as Glycine falcata Benth., a native of Australia, has been hampered by an extremely low seed set under greenhouse conditions in the absence of pollinating vectors. A quick and efficient method of enhancing seed set in this species was developed in working with Neonotonia verdcourtii, a species from Africa formerly included in the genus Glycine (Isely et al., 1980). Conventional soybean crossing techniques among flowers of one plant were tedious and time-consuming, and did not produce many seeds