Table of Contents

Space Technology Experiments

VISET (Space Vision System Experiment Development Tests)

The National Research Council of Canada is developing a state-of-the-art computerized machine vision system designed to give more precise guidance information to make it easier for astronauts to approach, capture and then berth large satellites or assemble other structures in space.

The Space Vision System's major test is planned for a shuttle mission in early 1986.

The experiment is designed to test several aspects of the Space Vision System. Marc Garneau took video recordings of targets attached to the ERBS (Earth Radiation Budget Satellite) during its deployment into orbit on Day 1 of the mission. He controlled video cameras located in the cargo bay and on Canadarm from the crew compartment during the satellite's checkout and deployment. The ERBS had four of the underside of its solar array panels and six on its sensor base.

These video recordings were transmitted to Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center and played through a prototype of the NRCC Space Vision System on the ground. The system will calculate the position, orientation and rate of movement of the ERBS relative to the orbiter cameras 30 times each second. Results provided satellite flight controllers detailed data on the release and deployment of the ERBS.

The video data was analysed after the mission to see how the Space Vision System was able to cope with the different lighting conditions in space and how effective the targets are for this purpose.

On subsequent days of the mission, Garneau made further video recordings with the camera on Canadarm's wrist as the arm trace the outline of payloads in the cargo bay.

ACOMEX (Advanced Composite Materials Experiment)

Non-metallic composite materials are lightweight, strong and usually made of graphite and epoxy compounds, many of which are used in the shuttle. Some of these materials seemed to deteriorated. For example, the originally bright red Canadian flag on the first Canadarm has become brownish. The shiny film on thermal blankets for TV cameras on the shuttle has become dull and flat in colour; and blankets have lost 35 per cent of their mass. In low-Earth orbit, atomic oxygen could interact with certain materials causing deterioration, a potentially serious problem with structures such as satellites meant to stay in orbit for long periods.

The experiment involved testing samples of composite materials attached to Canadarm and measuring any deterioration while exposed to the conditions of space.

The tests occurred during a 36-hour period beginning on Day 3 of the mission. Mission Specialist Sally Ride positioned Canadarm so that the material samples face the direction of flight where it is thought the process of deterioration would be the most rapid (the orbiter travels at eight kilometres, or five miles, a second).

Every six hours, Marc Garneau examined the samples with high-powered binoculars and made notes as to changes in appearance. He also photographed the samples.

After the flight, researchers subjected the samples to extensive materials testing.