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The MX-2 neutral buoyancy space suit analogue has been designed and developed at the University of Maryland to facilitate analysis of space suit components and assessment of the benefits of advanced space suit technologies, The MX-2 replicates the salient features of microgravity pressure suits, including the induced joint torques, visual, auditory and thermal environments, and microgravity through the use of neutral buoyancy simulation. In this paper, design upgrades and recent operations of the suit are outlined, including many experiments and tests of advanced space suit technologies, This paper focuses on the work done using the MX-2 to implement and investigate various advanced controls and displays within the suit, to enhance crewmember situational awareness and effectiveness, and enable human-robotic interaction.

Decomposition of high-grade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generates water vapor, oxygen, and heat. By converting heat to electrical energy with a Stirling engine, a spacesuit portable life support system can be maintained exclusively with H2O2; however, incorporation of additional cooling water may reduce the overall system mass. System components comprising the hydrogen peroxide portable life support system (HyPerPLSS) are discussed and analyzed. Component considerations and thermodynamic relations indicate an optimal hydrogen peroxide concentration of 95%. Life support requirements for eight hours of extravehicular activity are satisfied with 10.9 kg of liquid H2O2.

Near to long term goals in the nation's space program would benefit from a significant reduction of the fatigue associated with manual tasks performed by suited astronauts, and the corresponding increase in the comfort, safety, and productivity of EVA operations this would enable. To this end, the University of Maryland Space Systems Laboratory and ILC Dover Inc. have developed an electromechanical, power-assisted EVA glove which has demonstrated the ability to substantially reduce manual fatigue while simultaneously increasing range of motion. The lessons learned from the construction and testing of this initial prototype have been used to guide a second generation design for this power-assist concept, which achieves comparable or superior performance with significantly less hardware and power consumption. This paper describes the new, second generation power-assist mechanism, reviewing the relevant design issues and comparing its performance with the initial design.

While robotics have been employed in many environments, their use in space has been limited by high development costs and reliability issues. Using new management strategies and reduced mission life, the University of Maryland and NASA are developing the Ranger Telerobotic Flight Experiment (TFX), scheduled for flight in early 1997. This mission poses unique requirements on the design and implementation of the ground control station and it's interfaces. Two of the most important design issues are the need for high bandwidth command data, and cost constraints on the operator interface. This paper is intended to briefly outline the Ranger TFX mission, related theory on human perception, capabilities the control station must supply to vehicle designers sot that they can design effective control station interfaces, results from a preliminary study, and suggestions for future research.

With a renewed focus on manned exploration, NASA is beginning to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. Future manned missions will require a symbiosis of human and robotic infrastructure. As a step towards understanding the roles of humans and robots in future planetary exploration, NASA headquarters funded ILC Dover and the University of Maryland to perform research in the area of human and robotic interfaces. The research focused on development and testing of communication components, robotic command and control interfaces, electronic displays, EVA navigation software and hardware, and EVA lighting. The funded research was a 12-month effort culminating in a field test with NASA personnel.

The Ranger Telerobotic Shuttle Experiment (RTSX) is a Space Shuttle-based flight experiment to demonstrate key telerobotic technologies for servicing assets in Earth orbit. The flight system will be teleoperated from onboard the Space Shuttle and from a ground control station at the NASA Johnson Space Center. The robot, along with supporting equipment and task elements, will be located in the Shuttle payload bay. A number of relevant servicing operations will be performed-including extravehicular activity (EVA) worksite setup, orbital replaceable unit (ORU) exchange, and other dexterous tasks. The program is underway toward an anticipated launch date in CY2002. This paper gives an overview of the RTSX mission, and describes several follow-on mission scenarios involving cooperative Ranger and EVA activities.