EVA worksite analysis--use of computer analysis for EVA operations development and execution

Area of Science:

• Space Engineering
• Human Spaceflight Operations
• Robotics and Automation

Background:

• Sustaining International Space Station (ISS) assembly and maintenance requires efficient extravehicular activity (EVA).
• Current EVA planning, training, and execution methods need enhancement to meet mission demands.
• Ensuring astronaut access to all external worksites is critical for mission success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and application of computer-based EVA worksite analysis techniques.
• To demonstrate the utility of EVA worksite analysis in designing and supporting space station external worksites.
• To detail the evolution of EVA worksite analysis for real-time support of unplanned space operations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized computer-based analysis for EVA worksite design and accessibility.
• Applied EVA worksite analysis to 80% of U.S. ISS external worksites.
• Developed and deployed EVA worksite analysis for real-time mission support and contingency planning.

Main Results:

• Successfully designed a significant majority of U.S. ISS EVA worksites using the developed analysis techniques.
• Established a foundational capability for EVA worksite analysis supporting ground and on-orbit training.
• Initiated development for real-time analysis to support unplanned EVA operations.

Conclusions:

• Computer-based EVA worksite analysis is a vital tool for ISS assembly and maintenance.
• The analysis capability enhances EVA planning, training, and execution efficiency.
• Ongoing development aims to extend EVA worksite analysis to support dynamic, real-time mission requirements.