the enhanced inspection boom assembly - extending the capabilities of iss robotics

Paper number

IAC-09.B3.2.8

Author

Mr. Herbert Goettmann, MDA Space Missions, Canada

Coauthor

Mr. Peter Villalta, MDA Space Missions, Canada

Coauthor

Mr. Dennis Vit, MDA Space Missions, Canada

Year

2009

Abstract

The Inspection Boom Assembly (IBA) is operated in each Space Shuttle mission to satisfy NASA’s Return-To-Flight requirement following the Columbus accident, to meet on-orbit inspection of the Shuttle’s TPS (Thermal Protection System).  This 50 foot extension to the Space Shuttle robotics has proven so successful, that the IBA will now be permanently docked on the International Space Station (ISS).  Indeed, the potential broader role of the IBA to ISS maintenance was recently proven on STS-120 during a contingency operation.  During the ISS Solar Array installation, a tear was found in the P6 solar panel compromising ISS power capability.  The solar panel tear was beyond reach of existing on-orbit ISS robotics equipment and Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA).  Real time mission planners proposed, planned and successfully executed a never before tried task to extend ISS SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) reach by using the Shuttle’s IBA.  

With the success of the IBA assisted solar array repair, the IBA is currently being enhanced to provide the capability to be permanently docked on ISS after the final shuttle mission to provide enhanced capability for load bearing, and full extended reach (over 11 stories in total length) for EVA-based ISS inspection and repair.  This SSRMS and new Enhanced IBA (EIBA) combination will become the largest robotics element in space for servicing tasks, handling on-orbit inspection and repair of hard-to-reach areas of the ever growing ISS.

This paper presents practical growth concepts which fully exploit the extraordinary reach offered by the SSRMS/EIBA.  These enabling EVA and Extra-Vehicular Robotics (EVR) provisions would be utilized to incorporate new inspection sensors, payload attachments, a remote SSRMS EVA control station at tip of the EIBA, and provide an option for greatly extending the maintenance coverage on the ISS where dexterous EVR servicing can be performed through an integrated SSRMS, EIBA and SPDM Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) operation. 

Abstract document

IAC-09.B3.2.8.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.B3.2.8.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.