Browsing by Author "Keomany, Tommy"
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Item Initial Testing of the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) in Lunar Environment Simulation at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) in 2022(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Davis, Kristine; Tejral, Zachary; Keomany, Tommy; Vu, LinhUnderstanding how to effectively train for Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) for Artemis missions is critical. Tasked by the new Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP), a team of stakeholders from engineering and flight operations worked together to test the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility (xEMU) in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) simulating the lunar environment. The NBL is a pool in which astronauts are typically trained to complete simulated International Space Station (ISS) EVA tasks in a neutral weigh-out. The overall focus for this test series was evaluating how well the NBL could be used as an effective simulated environment for Artemis lunar EVAs. New NBL support hardware was manufactured to support this test series and update the interfaces to be more representative of xEMU hardware such as a new NBL Portable Life Support System (PLSS) mock-up and umbilical, lights and cameras, and display and control unit (DCU). To simulate the 1/6th-gravity (1/6-g) environment, extra weights were added around the suit to create an accurate center of gravity representation. The Partial Gravity Weigh-out Stand (PGWS) predicted where and how much weight would be required for the 1/6th-G simulation and predicted the center of gravity placement. After the weigh-out attempt was completed, the suited participant would complete a set of directed tasks such as kneeling, object pick-up, and walking to evaluate the weigh-out. To create the lunar environment, sand, boulders, and ramps were added to the pool floor. Overall, the NBL was able to create an acceptable lunar landscape and ability to have two subjects work side by side in pressurized xEMUs which currently cannot be achieved in other test environments. Achieving a stable 1/6th-G lunar weigh-out and clear, consistent dual suit communications was a challenge for this series. Future work is planned to continue to improve this simulation environment.Item Testing the Exploration Conops(Excon) Mockup Suit in Lunar Analog Environments in 2022(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Tejral, Zachary; Flaspohler, Christine; Keomany, Tommy; Graff, Trevor; Fester, Zachary; Davis, Kristine; Coan, DaveUnderstanding how to effectively train for Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) for Artemis missions is critical. Developing high-fidelity simulation environments is important for Artemis mission preparation. Because the actual Lunar exploration environment cannot be fully replicated on Earth, it is paramount to determine where and how to properly train the Artemis team. The overall focus for this test series was developing the capability to perform Artemis simulated EVAs in high-fidelity, full-scale environments. This test series was broken into 3 distinct tests titled after the EHP integrated test team: Joint EVA Test Team (JETT). The test locations are planned to serve as Artemis training sites and were selected because of their relevance to the expected Artemis Lunar terrain. JETT1 was conducted near Kilbourne Hole by El Paso, Texas and focused on hardware development and checkout. JETT2 was conducted in the Icelandic Highlands and began the transition towards EVA concept operations (con-ops), risks and technology. JETT3 was conducted near SP Crater by Flagstaff Arizona and focused on simulating the Artemis III mission with a simulated Houston based Flight Control Team (FCT) and a Science Mission Directorate (SMD) science team. All three JETT tests utilized the Excon mockup space suit. The Excon mockup suit is a light-weight, unpressurized Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) simulator. While it cannot replicate the feel of working within a pressurized suit, it does introduce similar volume constraints and some of the mobility programing to simulate the user experience in the xEMU. Overall, the JETT testing was able to create a simulated Lunar EVA and have two subjects perform full scale operations in line with Artemis III mission expectations. Future work is planned to continue to improve the simulation quality of Lunar EVA simulations.