Space automation and robotics activities past, present and future: Next steps for a robotics laboratory
An Automation and Robotics (A&R) laboratory is being developed at the National Aerospace Laboratory NLR. The laboratory is intended to be a testbed for harmonized ESA/Dutch operations technology. A number of activities related to (internal) A&R are reviewed. A reference scenario involving liquid sloshing experiments based on an external robot arm is analysed to suggest next steps for further developments. Remote utilization of robotics technology is emphasised.
Development and operations in the Dutch utilisation centre
At the early beginning (1989) of implementation of the European User Support Organisation (USO) concept, development and implementation of a Dutch Utilisation Centre (DUC) started at NLR premises. After development of several pilot DUC facilities, DUC participated in a Columbus simulation mission and in the 2nd International Micro-gravity Laboratory mission (IML-2). Different ground segment configurations were set up at different locations to meet the specific requirements for the missions. DUC development focuses on achieving a flexible support concept in teleoperations, telerobotics, and visual (video) information processing and presentation, using different communication concepts and video equipment. The configurations are prepared for the purpose of future missions onboard International Space Station. Support will be provided to both experiments and systems operations, such as operations with the European Robotic Arm (ERA). The paper will describe the technical set-up of the DUC, focusing on the communication infrastructure and the ground segment systems for receiving the various data streams.
Geographic And Environmental Influence On Maya Settlement Patterns Of The Northwest Yucatan: An Explanation For The Sparsely Settled Western Cenote Zone
Most settlement pattern research and GIS analysis of the ancient Maya of the Northern Yucatan have focused on water availability in a dry landscape where cenotes are often the only water source. While water is of paramount importance, permanent settlement secondarily requires farmable soil, a resource often as precious as water in many parts of the Yucatan. The dynamics between these resources reveal areas of ideal settlement and more challenging landscapes for which the Maya developed strategies to overcome environmental conditions. A region of the southwest "Cenote Zone", however, appears to have presented the ancient Maya with insurmountably poor environmental conditions despite abundant water resources. The lack of dense population and stone architecture in this area emphasizes the lack of a simple correlation between cenotes and settlement. This thesis uses GIS analysis to identify and explore such problematic settlement areas to better understand the factors and complexities involved in the more successful settlements of neighboring regions. iv This work is dedicated to my late father, who first introduced me to the Mundo Maya through a visit to the ruins of Tikal at the age of nine, and who instilled in me strength, curiosity, and a love for exploring the world. v ACKLOWLEDGEMENTS I'd like to acknowledge Dr. Arlen Chase and Dr. Diane Chase for providing such outstanding opportunities and instruction, and for leading by example both in the field and in the classroom. Dr. John Walker for his eye-opening perspectives, GIS instruction, inspiring hard-working attitude, and patience in the field. Dr. Clifford Brown and Dr. Walter Witschey for their invaluable correspondence and for their contributions to mapping and GIS data of Maya sites.