Summary

Description

<p>Develop  a robotic sample handling/ manipulator system for the GeoLab glovebox. This work leverages from earlier GeoLab work and a 2012 collaboration with a University of Bridgeport project (Zheng Li, 2012 X-Hab challenge winner) to build a microgravity sample holder for the glovebox.  The GeoLab team is providing inputs to the Bridgeport  design; this proposal extends the Bridgeport product for full glovebox operations. It includes a translation track for increasing the DOF and whole-glovebox operations and software development for remote control of sample  handling, facilitating remotely controlled analysis and leveraging astronaut resources.<br />Tests performed during Desert RATS in 2011 and 2012 provided recommendations for increased robotic operations inside the GeoLab. Furthermore, the need for handling samples in a reduced gravity setting extends the operational concepts for  preliminary examination of  samples inside a space-based laboratory. We will develop and  integrate the GeoLab translation track in parallel with the U.  Bridgeport project, and feed requirements to the Bridgeport team to  ensure seamless integration.  We continue our collaborations with the DSH software development team to build controls for the  manipulator.  The system will be tested as part of the summer 2012 DSH operations, and operational outcomes to be compared with earlier human-tended tests.</p>