|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
German space robotic system on its way to the International Space Station
German space robotic system on its way to the International Space Station December 20th, 2004 New dimension in space robotics reached Utilising ISS for scientific progress Bremen-based EADS competence centre plays a leading role Bremen/Baikonur, 20 December 2004 - With the launch of the German ROKVISS robotic experiment from the Russian spaceport Baikonur to the International Space Station on 24 December 2004, space robotics will enter a new dimension. ROKVISS - a manipulator having a length of about 50 centimetres - shall demonstrate that the newly developed, innovative robotic arm meets all requirements of future space projects and that it can be controlled from Earth with hardly any time delay. Successful demonstration would lead to the fact that dangerous and strenuous work in space usually executed by astronauts could be done by robotic arms in the future. "In order to be able to test the complex interplay of all components and the time sequences required for data transmission and data processing under real conditions, this mission to the International Space Station is indispensable," said Dr. Wolfgang Paetsch, ROKVISS Project Manager EADS SPACE Transportation, on the occasion of a press conference held in Moscow on Monday. "In co-operation with research and industry, we have succeeded in developing a forward-pointing technology. ROKVISS offers Germany the opportunity of utilising the ISS as a unique research facility for scientific progress." EADS SPACE Transportation in its function as "prime contractor" developed and built the hardware and software for ROKVISS. Under contract to Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR - German Aerospace Centre, Cologne) and under the leadership of EADS SPACE Transportation, the DLR Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics (Oberpfaffenhofen) will be responsible for the joints of the robotic system, experiment performance and scientific analysis of the results achieved. Kayser-Threde (Munich) developed and built the experiment computer and other electronic units while Hoerner & Sulger (Schwetzingen) supplied the camera equipment. Other important partners are the Russian Space Agency Roskosmos and the Russian company RKK Energia (Koroljov near Moscow), who made it possible that the system can be mounted on to the Russian module of the ISS for testing. Total cost of ROKVISS will cover an amount of EUR 11.5 million, including launch, installation and operation. The project will be financed by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF - Federal Ministry of Education and Research). EADS SPACE Transportation is the European lead company for civil and military space transportation and manned spaceflight. EADS SPACE Transportation is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE. In 2003, EADS SPACE achieved a turnover of EUR 2.4 billion with a labour force of 12,000 in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Contacts: Rémi ROLAND EADS SPACE (FR)Tel: +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34 Dr. Christian W Erles EADS SPACE (FR)Tel: +33 (0) 1 39 06 32 53 Kirsten Leung EADS SPACE Transportation (GER)Tel: +49 (0) 4 21 5 39 53 26 Dr. Mathias Spude EADS SPACE Transportation (GER)Tel: +49-421-539-5710 -- -------------- Jacques :-) www.spacepatches.info |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Unofficial Space Shuttle Launch Guide | Steven S. Pietrobon | Space Shuttle | 0 | August 5th 04 01:36 AM |
Clueless pundits (was High-flight rate Medium vs. New Heavy lift launchers) | Rand Simberg | Space Science Misc | 18 | February 14th 04 03:28 AM |
WFTV: "Mysterious Object Floats Away From International Space Station" | JimO | Space Station | 52 | February 11th 04 01:36 PM |
Space Calendar - October 24, 2003 | Ron Baalke | History | 0 | October 24th 03 04:38 PM |
NASA Selects International Space Station Program Scientis | Ron Baalke | Space Station | 0 | August 20th 03 06:38 AM |