Neutral Buoyancy Methodology for Studying Satellite Servicing EVA Crewmember Interfaces

Current economic constraints indicate the need for incorporating the satellite servicing philosophy of commonality within the design of spacecraft subsystems. This philosophy is essential for conserving resources including hardware/software development and implementation costs, on-orbit and ground-based manpower, crew training/testing time, and documentation. In addition, spacecraft subsystem commonality may be coupled with standardization of operational procedures, and test and verification techniques for spacecraft design. Several spacecraft have adapted this practice, including Hubble Space Telescope, Space Station Freedom, and the Explorer Platform. As these and other programs continue and if effective crew interfaces and procedures are clearly and consistently defined, crew retraining for similar spacecraft subsystems will lessen, and procurement efforts will diminish. A relatively high fidelity zero-gravity simulation using water immersion is available to establish crew interfaces economically. The flexibility and utility of this space simulation medium for planning and assisting on-orbit operations was exemplified by astronaut evaluations of potential extravehicular activity electrical connectors. The testing was conducted at a National Aeronautics and Space Administration underwater neutral buoyancy training facility.