CONTROL OF A REMOTE MANEUVERING UNIT DURING SATELLITE INSPECTION
Abstract
Operator performance in flying a simulated remote maneuvering unit (RMU) on a coplanar satellite inspection mission was evaluated under two conditions of RMU attitude control and two conditions of cockpit instrumentation. The maneuver was repeatedly performed successfully using either an on-off acceleration-command attitude control system or an on-off rate-command attitude control system, each with either a full panel of cockpit instruments (six) or only one cockpit instrument. The rate-command system was found to be superior for pitch control during station keeping and for roll control in general. The acceleration-command system was superior for pitch control during the trajectory portions of the mission. Because both control systems had disadvantages, consideration of a variable rate-control system is recommended. More economical and precise RMU control was obtained under the full-panel cockpit instrumentation condition irrespective of the control system used. The instruments of most value were found to be those which provided X (longitudinal) and Z (vertical) distance information. The limitations of the simulation and the advantages and disadvantages of an 'inside-out' versus an 'outside-in' television display of the target and its surrounds are also discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0654327
Entities
People
- Herbert J. Clark
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory