Linear differential pressure sensor Patent

Design and development of pressure sensor for measuring differential pressures of few pounds per square inc

Fabrication of Essex EVA ratchet wrenches

The extravehicular activity (EVA) ratchet wrench was developed. Shortly after Space Telescope (ST) maintenance simulations began, the need for a specialized maintenance tool arose. With inputs of tool requirements and design recommendations, several development model wrenches were tested in conjunction with ST neutral buoyancy simulations. The wrench design was modified and refined

What are the odds? An insider perspective from the political betting market

Bookmakers’ odds are becoming an increasingly used source in the coverage of political events – in press, television news and particularly digital press. Yet we rarely discuss how these odds come about. Here, Jamie Loughead outlines the difference between the expertise of the traditional bookmaker and the ‘wisdom of the crowds’ of the newer betting exchanges and provides insights into his work for a well-known British bookmaker

Satellite retrieval system

A satellite retrieval system with first and second pairs of coacting parallel bars are separately mounted in spaced parallel planes on the front of a spacecraft. The bars of one pair are at right angles to bars of the other pair, and together the two pairs of bars effect a variable aperture adapted to close around a rod extending from a second spacecraft to effect the capture of the latter

The Relationship Among Athlete Leadership Behaviors and Cohesion in Team Sports

This study examined the influence of athlete leadership behaviors on perceptions of team cohesion. The participants were 312 athletes from 25 varsity and club level teams. Each participant completed the Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron, Widmeyer, & Brawley, 1985) that assessed cohesion and the Leadership Scale for Sports (Chelladurai & Saleh, 1980) that assessed athlete leadership behaviors. Overall, it was found that individual perceptions of Training and Instruction, and Social Support positively influenced all four dimensions of cohesion (ATG-T, ATG-S, GI–T, GI-S). Furthermore, Autocratic Behavior was negatively associated with the four dimensions of cohesion. Finally, Democratic Behavior was positively related to ATG-T. These findings provide researchers, sport psychology consultants, athletes, and coaches with some initial evidence that it is important to foster the development of athlete leader behaviors to influence the team environment

Development of concepts for satellite retrieval devices

The teleoperator being developed to augment the Space Transportation System (STS) for satellite placement, retrieval, or servicing at altitudes or orbital planes where it would be impractical to use the shuttle is primarily a general purpose propulsion stage that can be fitted with manipulator arms, automated servicers and satellite retrieval devices for particular missions. Design concepts for a general purpose retrieval device for docking with a satellite to which a grappling fixture has been attached, and for a retrieval device for docking with the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) spacecraft were defined. The mechanical aspects of these two devices are discussed as well as the crew operations involved and problems created by the requirement for remote control. Drawings for the two retrieval device concepts are included

Structural attachments for large space structures

The feasibility of fabricating beams in space and using them as components of a large, crew assembled structure, was investigated. Two projects were undertaken: (1) design and development of a ground version of an automated beam builder capable of producing triangular cross section aluminum beams; and (2) design and fabrication of lap joints to connect the beams orthogonally and centroidal end caps to connect beams end to end at any desired angle. The first project produced a beam building machine which fabricates aluminum beams suitable for neutral buoyancy evaluation. The second project produced concepts for the lap joint and end cap. However, neither of these joint concepts was suitable for use by a pressure suited crew member in a zero gravity environment. It is concluded that before the beams can be evaluated the joint designs need to be completed and sufficient joints produced to allow assembly of a complex structure