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Saint-Hubert - May 26, 2003 Imagine playing the most complicated video game ever created. Then imagine being asked to play it at peak efficiency without practicing for several months. Imagine also that the cost of your error could be over $50,000,000. In a way that was exactly what was originally asked of astronauts operating Canadarm2 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Like that imaginary video game, operating a 35-foot crane-like object through a TV monitor in space requires exceptional manual and visual dexterity, and while astronauts undergo rigorous training before venturing into space, they've been unable to practise these particular skills after arriving on the Space Station. Since the astronauts on ISS will stay in orbit for three or more months there was an urgent need to develop an on-orbit trainer for astronauts. Unfortunately, the technology required to produce a portable, self-sustained training unit -- as well as the computing power to provide the simulation accuracy required -- simply wasn't available. Until now, that is. A team of Russian and Canadian space researchers and engineers has successfully pushed back the technology envelope, developing an on-site trainer for the International Space Station. The System for Maintaining and Monitoring Performance (SMP) On-Orbit MSS Astronaut Training System consists of a small laptop computer and two hand-controls. Training and analysis modules incorporated in the system allow astronauts to practise, among other things, capturing free-flying objects such as small satellites, which is the most difficult task that a Canadarm2 operator may be required to perform. Canada played a pivotal role in two significant breakthroughs that helped make the on-site trainer possible. The first is a highly efficient simulation software tool -- SYMOFROS, developed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The other is a smart electronics card, developed by a small Canadian company called Xiphos Technologies in collaboration with the CSA. The card easily interfaces hand-controllers to portable computers. When SYMOFROS and the smart card were combined with Russian expertise in on-board system integration, the final hurdle to the development of an on-orbit trainer was overcome. The SMP On-Orbit Mobile Servicing System Astronaut Training System was launched on-board the Soyuz Progress Transport on February 2, 2003. Related Links Canadian Space Agency SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Europe Waves Soyuz Taxi Away Until Fixed
Paris - May 15, 2003The crew of Expedition 6 to the International Space Station, US astronauts Kenneth Bowersox and Donald Pettit and Russian cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin, returned to Earth on 4 May after spending 162 days on board.
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