Screen Shot
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Education Docking Simulation developed in collaboration with NASA's
Learning Technology
Project
(click on image to visit LTP's website)

CLICK HERE to learn more about the educational docking simulation

CLICK HERE to download a beta version of the application

The Smart Systems Research Lab (SSRL) conducts cutting-edge research on various projects that require utilization of advanced soft computing techniques to achieve “smart” operation resulting in improved performance. One of these projects deals with Spacecraft Docking. The objective of this research is to increase safety, accuracy, and efficiency of spacecraft docking. SSRL is developing computer-aided joystick control using adaptive neurocontrol technologies that can learn in near real-time change in spacecraft mass properties, degradation in thruster strengths, and effects of uncontrolled venting (e.g. uncontrolled gas venting on Apollo 13 resulting from an onboard explosion). Thus, if thruster strengths or the mass properties of the spacecraft change, an adaptive control system is able to “adapt” and compensate for the variation and assists the astronaut. The technology developed could make spacecraft docking safer, more accurate, faster, and more fuel efficient.

This space shuttle docking simulation was developed by the Smart Systems Research Lab, located at NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, CA. This simulation is a simplified version of the rendezvous and docking scenario performed by astronauts when docking the Space Shuttle to the International Space Station. SSRL is using a more complicated form of this simulator (i.e. full six degrees-of-freedom, integrating orbital mechanics effects, etc.) to test out various control and optimization techniques to validate and simulate various scenarios (it would be impractical and highly unsafe to perform these tests on the actual shuttle with astronauts onboard).