Human Exploration Telerobotics For the Teacher

Images and information about the Challenge International Space Station modules can Design a robotic device to complete be found here: a series of tasks related to 2 http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kibo/about/kibo/jpm/ tasks on board the Space Station. http://www.isset.org/nasa/tss/ aerospacescholars.org/scholars/ Materials earthstationmoon/Unit3/ch5/building_ • Robotic system such as: LEGO blocks.htm Mindstorm kits, other off-the- http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/508318main_ shelf programmable , remote ISS_ref_guide_nov2010.pdf control cars, and see More Fun with Engineering page for other suggestions and alternatives. Motivate • Challenge Area • Ask students what tasks they complete every day (brushing teeth, • Recycled materials to use as obstacles taking out the trash, making breakfast, and storage containers for the etc.) Ask what tasks they think the to use in the challenge. astronauts aboard the International Space Station would have to

The dimensions of the storage Pre-Activity Set-up containers will depend on the type of This challenge provides the story line robot used. Storage containers should for a challenge and a template be square or rectangular in shape, most to create a Challenge Area. The teacher storage containers on the International can decide which type of robotic product Space Station are white in color and to use to accomplish the challenge. This wrapped in fabric to protect the astronauts challenge assumes students already have if they should float into each other. a basic understanding of programming Additional obstacles can be added for the type of robots they will be using. to create more directional turns or add The teacher can prebuild the obstacles difficulty as appropriate for students. and storage containers (used by the The robot will need to maneuver around robots to complete the tasks) or students exercise equipment, an experiment can also design and build the storage station, a video camera, a sleeping bag, containers for the robot to move around etc. Adjust obstacles as needed for your the International Space Station. environment. Telerobotics For the Teacher

accomplish every day (housekeeping chores, resupply of food/water, taking Ask out the trash, recording temperatures • Clarify the challenge involves moving and air quality levels). Robots are storage containers around the space the perfect way to complete some of station. The students will design, these types of repetitive tasks. program and test a robot to complete • Discuss Robonaut and SPHERES (see the following tasks: Student Section) and how engineers are 1. The robot will travel from docking working to create ways to control the station to Forward rack. robots on space station from Earth. 2. Pick up/push “used” storage Telerobotics is a great tool to save time container from Forward rack. in waiting for the next launch to upload 3. Robot will need to be programmed to new programs or new robots. It also navigate around obstacles in its path. allows more time on the International 4. Move “used” storage container Space Station for the astronauts to for storage on Starboard rack. complete science-related experiments. 5. Retrieve “new” storage container • Videos and more information about from Starboard rack and install Telerobotics are available at in Forward rack. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ 6. Robot will need to be programmed tdm/telerobotics/index.html and to navigate around obstacles in its http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/default.asp path. • Find more information about robots in 7. Return to docking station in Aft rack. general at NASA, see more videos and student interactives at http://www.nasa. Imagine gov/audience/foreducators/robotics/ • Students will decide what features their home/index.html or http://robotics.nasa. robot will have and brainstorm ways the gov/edu/matrix.php robot can complete required tasks. • Find more information about the International Space Station science and Plan layout at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_ • If the storage containers are not pre- pages/station/main/index.html and http:// built, students will design two small www.nasa.gov/externalflash/ISSRG/ storage containers. • Follow the testing of Robonaut 2 on Facebook or Twitter. Telerobotics For the Teacher Create Challenge Closure • Use materials provided to create the Engage the students in a discussion storage containers and robots. posing the following questions: • Create program (or write out detailed • What other testing could you do before steps) to complete the required tasks. making your recommendations to the engineering team? Experiment • What information could engineers • Follow the directions and answer working on this project learn from questions on the Quality Assurance your team’s results? sheets. • What other ISS-related tasks could you • This challenge does not use also accomplish with this robot design? an Experiment and Record sheet • What are some reasons that robots on because students will be programming Earth would not be appropriate their robot. for use in space? Improve • After completing the first round of testing, students will make modifications to their programs to improve the performance of the robot. Background Human Exploration Telerobotics

The Human Exploration Telerobotics tasks that require dexterity manipulation (HET) mission makes extensive use of and are often repetitive tasks done by the open source software to remotely operate astronauts. Robonaut 2 is currently going robots on the International Space Station. through various tests to see which tasks it In , robots often need to is best suited. Robonaut is learning how to work in extreme conditions and must be open containers, test ventilation flow, Learn remotely operated over highly constrained more about Robonaut 2 and learn its latest communication networks. developments and see videos at http:// • SPHERES is set of three free-flying robots robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/default.asp, or you can that use an “Nexus S” smartphone follow Robonaut 2 on Facebook or Twitter. for data processing. SPHERES acts as • Disruption Tolerant Networking software another set of eyes and can perform routine is used to compensate for the intermittent inspections of light and sound levels around network connectivity and the delays that the station. It can also take pictures and occur when sending data between Earth video, freeing up an astronaut to perform and space. This technology will help prevent other tasks. In future missions, SPHERES gaps in communication and make SPHERES may venture outside of the space station. and Robonaut 2 even better tools for • Robonaut 2 is a two-armed, humanoid mission control and astronauts. that arrived on the International Space Station in 2011. Robonaut 2 completes

The Challenge

To design a robotic device to complete Tasks to Complete: a series of tasks related to Robonaut 2 Design and build two storage containers... 10 pts tasks on the International Space Station (ISS). Remove “used” storage The design constraints are: container from Forward Rack...... 25 pts • Use only materials provided to you to create Install “new” storage the robot and the storage containers. container in Forward Rack...... 25 pts Store “used” storage container in Starboard Rack...... 25 pts Reminder For All Challenges • Make any necessary design changes Each obstacle navigated...... 5 pts to improve your performance. Return to home base in Aft Rack...... 10 pts • Complete all conclusion questions. Our Team’s Plan Human Exploration Telerobotics

ASK Today you will design a robot that will replace storage containers on the space station. What questions do you have about today’s challenge?

IMAGINE What will be the general shape of your robot?

PLAN Draw and label your robot:

Be sure to include measurements! Challenge Area Human Exploration Telerobotics

This is a recommendation for the Challenge Area. Make adjustments based on the type of robotics program you are using and the level of difficulty you have set for your students. Mark off the Challenge Area by using tape on the floor or a raised table. Obstacles can either be physical objects or can be marked on the floor. Recommended size: 44 inches x 92 inches

Forward Rack

Obstacle: Robonaut 2 working on rack. to Soyuz Capsule Starboard Rack Starboard

Obstacle: Aft Rack Astronaut Sunita Williams exercising. (docking station for robot) Quality Assurance Human Exploration Telerobotics

Each team is to review another team’s design and model, then answer the following questions:

Team Name Yes No Points Earned

Did the robot only use the provided materials?

Tasks the Robot Completed: Design and build two storage containers 10 points Remove “used” storage container 25 points Install “new” storage container 25 points Store “used” storage container 25 points Each obstacle navigated 5 points Return to home base 10 points

List the specific strengths of the design.

List the specific weaknesses of the design.

Inspected by: ______

Signature: ______Experiment & Record Challenge Closure

1 What other testing could you do before making your recommendations to the engineering team?

2 What information could engineers working on this project learn from your team’s results?

3 What other ISS-related tasks could you also accomplish with this robot design?

4 What are some reasons that robots on Earth would not be appropriate for use in space? More Fun With Engineering Human Exploration Telerobotics

Activity One: Activity Two: If you do not have access to robotic or The Cellbots website offers a variety of remote control vehicles here are some platforms and ways to transform Android- alternatives for this challenge: based products to robots. After selecting Paper and pencil version which platform will work best for you, complete the Teleroboics Challenge again. • Students will write out step-by-step instructions to get a pre-built object (out http://www.cellbots.com/ of recycled materials) manually moved through the series of tasks. (Move Activity Three: forward 5 cm, turn left 90 degrees, The International Space Apps Challenge move up 10 cm, etc.) is an international mass collaboration • Exchange instructions for another team focused on space exploration. For 48 to test through the series of tasks. The hours in multiple cites around the world, template for the Challenge people work together to collaborate and Area can also be used. problem-solve open source solutions to Remote controlled vehicle version improve life on Earth and in space. Look • Students can modify a remote through the nearly 50 challenges listed on controlled vehicle to follow step-by-step the website and select one for your group instructions to complete the series of to collaborate to solve. Write or present tasks. (Move forward 5 cm, turn left your group’s solution to the class. Be sure 90 degrees, move up 10 cm, etc.) to incorporate a time limit to maintain the feel of the original project. This would also • Exchange instructions with another work well with partnerships across multiple group to test. The template for the schools or classrooms. Challenge Area can be used and/or modified to be appropriate size for http://spaceappschallenge.org/about/ the type of remote controlled vehicles.