Proximity operations aboard Space Station Freedom involve a number of complex operations including: piloting of unmanned space vehicles in the vicinity of the Space Station; docking and berthing of unmanned space vehicles; control of the mobile transporter; Space Station RMS and the FTS; and monitoring of extravehicular activities.Display hardware is required aboard the Space Station to provide information to the crew. This information takes the form of full color text and graphics as well as full motion, full color video. Other display requirements include: readability in high ambient light conditions; low power, weight and size; and ability to adjust the angle and distance from the crew.A number of display technologies exist to meet these requirements. CRTs are the standard in display technology; however, they may not be able to meet the sunlight readability requirements and they consume considerable weight, volume and power. Full color, active matrix LCD displays under development provide improved sunlight readability while consuming less weight, volume and power. Other devices using LED, electroluminescent and plasma technologies may eventually produce full color displays but additional development would be required. As working products evolve using these technologies, they will have to be compared with the qualities of CRTs in order to ensure crew acceptance.The impact on the configuration of the Space Station cupolas emphasize the importance of display selection. When compared to CRTs, the use of flat panel displays saves over 450 pounds of weight.
Flight Crew Displays for Space Station Proximity Operations
Sae Technical Papers
Aerospace Technology Conference and Exposition ; 1988
1988-10-01
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch