Large Space Structures, Alignment, And Extravehicular Activities (EVA) Crew Support

The potential use of the extra-vehicular (EV) suited crewperson's role in supporting possible on-orbit maintenance (service) or assembly/construction of large space structures (optical, communications, solar, etc.) has only minimally been considered. The intent of this Paper will be to focus on alignment considerations as they relate to ranges of EVA tasks from component/module changeout through assembly and/or construction of modular built-up spacecraft to large space structures. Included will be sortie (in Orbiter cargo bay) palletized and demonstration elements, and free flyers with particular attention to larger structures. Emphasis will be given to requirements vs design techniques particularly as they relate to alignment of changed out items or alignment of the structure during the assembly phase. EVA crew functions and capabilities will be discussed focusing on alignment attainment. Finally,factors associated with constraints and limitations in designing spacecraft and large space structures as they relate to use of the EV crewperson in alignment/servicing tasks aro discussed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.