PSA Education Page

History of the PSA:

1998	• Concept model/handheld mockup built. • Critical analysis performed on problems, risks, available technologies, and needed technologies. • Main issues studied: positioning the PSA in its environment, control systems, safety, wireless network, and size.
1999	• Model 1 developed. This is a functional testing model, and does not conform to the look of the concept model. Model 1 is controlled from a remote server and floats on a cushion of air enabling it to travel on a polished granite table. This allows 3-DOF (degrees of freedom) to be tested: X, Y, and yaw.
2000	• Testing of Model 1 continued. • Development of Model 2: 12" diameter sphere built from CAD drawings using stereo-lithography process. Model 2 allows for 6-DOF. • Development of micro-gravity test facility.
2001	• Model 2 operational. • Micro-gravity test facility operational to support 6-DOF. This test facility is similar in shape and size to an ISS module. Inside the test facility there is a crane that attaches to a gimbal, and the gimbal holds the PSA. The crane allows for 3-DOF (X, Y, Z) and the gimbal allows for the other 3-DOF (yaw, pitch, roll).
2002	• Model 2 testing continued.
2003	• Model 3 nearing completion. This model contains all capabilities planned for the final flight model, yet it is still too large in size (12" diameter). • Possible test on KC-135 aircraft to simulate microgravity as used by astronauts for trainings.
Future	• Model 4: primary goal is to miniturize the current hardware and reduce the PSA's size to 8-9" diameter. • Model 5: targeted to be the first PSA flight-tested on a spacecraft. Possible 6" diameter.

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