Planning for Unanticipated Satellite Servicing Teleoperations

Abstract

The role that man will play in the space-based servicing of satellites will change with standardization and automation of such operations. This change will permit man to dedicate more of his time in space to tasks that require his unique intellectual, manipulative, and perceptual abilities. However, if history is any indication, man cannot be completely removed from servicing duties because unanticipated servicing operations occasionally will require his direct intervention and control through either extra-vehicular activities (EVA) or teleoperations. As a result, certain minimum user-system interface capabilites must be maintained, no matter how sophisticated future technology becomes. This paper discusses research related to some of the basic human factors problems that will probably always have an impact on space-based teleoperated servicing operations. The implicit warning is that future advanced systems must implement solutions to these problems if humans are to provide effective backup support. Furthermore, the authors believe that there are several critical gaps in our present knowledge of teleoperator human factors that must be closed before such backup operations can be effective. There is a danger that system developers may become so enamored of advanced teleoperator technology that they may fail to provide an adequate user/system interface for backup operations. Human factors issues discussed include: vision systems, control devices and communication time delays. Each issues section concludes with a list of suggested research topics that address gaps in our present knowledge about teleoperator human factors.