Measurement technology of operation region of EVA spacesuit
Operation ability of astronaut in spacesuit is a key parameter in Extra-vehicular activities. The operation region of people in the spacesuit was tested by 3-jointed mechanical measuring arm, which combined force-torque sensors in the handle, and magnetic brakes installed in every joint. Mathematical model of the measuring arm was established to transform the signals of sensors to the data required. The errors were analyzed and the system was calibrated and compensated. All tests were aided by computer, and data obtained were processed by software developed based on VC++, OpenGL and Matlab. An exact 3- D operation region of left hand, right hand and both hands was obtained by a method of reverse engineering. The measurement supplied solid support in space engineering design.
The International Space Station: a pathway to the future.
Nearly six years after the launch of the first International Space Station element, and four years after its initial occupation, the United States and our 6 international partners have made great strides in operating this impressive Earth orbiting research facility. This past year we have done so in the face of the adversity of operating without the benefit of the Space Shuttle. In his January 14, 2004, speech announcing a new vision for America's space program, President Bush affirmed the United States' commitment to completing construction of the International Space Station by 2010. The President also stated that we would focus our future research aboard the Station on the long-term effects of space travel on human biology. This research will help enable human crews to venture through the vast voids of space for months at a time. In addition, ISS affords a unique opportunity to serve as an engineering test bed for hardware and operations critical to the exploration tasks. NASA looks forward to working with our partners on International Space Station research that will help open up new pathways for future exploration and discovery beyond low Earth orbit. This paper provides an overview of the International Space Station Program focusing on a review of the events of the past year, as well as plans for next year and the future.
Value‐centered R&D organizations: Ten principles for characterizing, assessing, and managing value
The management of R&D organizations has received considerable attention in terms of the nature of the flow from research to development to deployed technology, as well as planning and managing this flow. R&D strategies, innovation funnels, and multistage decision processes, to name just a few constructs, have been articulated and elaborated. This article builds on this foundation to consider the nature of the value created by this process. An options‐based approach is advocated for economic valuation of the products of R&D. Adoption and implementation of this approach is outlined in terms of ten principles for characterizing, assessing, and managing value. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.† Syst Eng 7: 167–185, 2004