Overview

Simulation

Graphics

Testbed

Requirements

Team Members

Related Links

Key technical issues

The key technological issues with the PSA are its ability to combine and apply intelligent systems with advanced navigation and autonomy. Through the application of these new technologies, the PSA will influence both future spacecraft development and design and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology.

In order to meet realistic development schedules and costs, the PSA system is based on COTS components. As the commercial market develops new operating systems, peripheral devices, and applications for the PSA system, the PSA project will use these technologies to meet the systemÕs unique space-based requirements. The integration of commercial personal productivity tools with industrial sensors for gas, atmospheric pressure, and temperature provides the support tools astronauts and mission planners are asking for. The PSA system both relies on and advances communication infrastructure such as the Ames developed Space Station Mobile Intranet. Communication systems such as these provide astronauts the necessary access to system, crew, and payload data.

Developing the revolutionary capabilities of the PSA system required close collaboration between concept developers, designers, and engineers. The key to establishing the trust and cooperation of spacecraft managers with the PSA system is the ability to demonstrate through models and behavior simulations the systemÕs unique combination of technologies.

The PSA system has great potential to push the frontiers of crew and payload support, mission planning, and problem isolation and correction. The scope of autonomous operations must range from manual control to multiple independent PSA collaborations with astronauts. Evolutionary and far-reaching technologies such as hologram projections, intelligent technologies, and evolving peripheral devices will play a significant role in the PSAÕs future development and application.