Estimating the Robotic Operator Skill Dynamics in Long Term Space Flight

The System for Monitoring and Maintaining MRO Performance (SMP) is a new Canadian payload on board the ISS since February 2003. It is designed to investigate the effects of long-term space flight on Mobile Servicing System Robotics Operator (MRO) skill degradation and recovery. SMP consists of a Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) simulator running on a laptop computer which takes its input from a pair of hand controllers. The first prototype of SMP simulates the capture of a payload that is hovering in space next to the ISS. This task has been identified as the most complex MRO hand controlled operation. The SMP also contains an innovative software module that automatically evaluates and quantifies the performance level of a particular operator. Based on that evaluation, the system can make a recommendation on whether or not the MRO needs additional training to reach a satisfactory skill level.