Skylab's Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (Experiment M509) — A Comparison of Six Degree of Freedom Simulation and on-Orbit Flight

Abstract

A test bed type astronaut maneuvering unit was designed and evaluated with the assistance of Martin Marietta's six degree of freedom simulator. Four different control modes were developed for this unit for test and evaluation inside Skylab's 22 foot diameter orbital workshop. The orbital tests have provided the experience and technology base necessary for space Shuttle and space station astronaut maneuvering unit design requirements. This paper is an overview of the M509 experiment hardware, procedures, and results with emphasis on the comparison between on-orbit test results and the six degree of freedom simulator. The simulator was used to develop the unit's design requirements, evaluate the control logic parameters, and for developing maneuvers and training the crew. The simulator will also be flown by the Skylab crews in May for post flight evaluation and simulator calibration. (Films of the simulations and on-orbit flight are available as part of this presentation.)