NASA engineers are using augmented reality (AR) to build spacecraft more efficiently and precisely.
of Roman Space Telescope The team has already begun applying the technology as they work to develop the next generation of observatories. James Webb Space TelescopeThe project was a huge success. Roman is currently working at NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center Officials say AR has already saved days of work at the Greenbelt, Maryland, facility, and tasks that would normally require multiple engineers and technicians can now be completed with far less effort.
Using augmented reality headsets and advanced measurement technology, the NASA team was able to project digital models of the telescope's components into the real world, allowing them to align parts to within thousandths of an inch and identify potential interference before hand assembly.
“We were able to place sensors, mounting interfaces and other spacecraft hardware in 3D space faster and more precisely than with traditional techniques,” said Ron Glenn, an engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. press release“That can have a huge benefit to the cost and schedule of any program.”
Related: NASA's Roman Space Telescope will search for the universe's first star — or at least its shredded remains.
This could be a game changer, as building spacecraft is no easy feat. These structures must be lightweight yet able to withstand harsh conditions. They must also have a multitude of complex systems, but the parts must fit together seamlessly. Procuring this kind of machine requires extensive theorizing, rigorous testing, and often considerable expense. Considerable complexity also arises during manufacturing. Hubble Space TelescopeMiller before its release in 1990 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) They created an entire mission that the astronauts had to fix. Earth Orbit.
What's more, the virtual nature of augmented reality also means that information is immediately available to anyone linked to the AR. For example, engineers can quickly reference key information on the fly, ranging from overall construction guidelines to torque specifications for individual bolts, accessible with a variety of hand gestures.
Another benefit is that remote engineers can input virtually from anywhere. “Partners in other locations can collaborate directly through the technician's point of view,” explains Aaron Sanford, another engineer working on the project. “Using QR codes for storing metadata and transferring documents adds another layer of efficiency, providing instant access to relevant information. Developing AR technology for reverse engineering and advanced structures opens up a whole host of possibilities for training, documentation, and more.”
But that's not all the benefits time Glenn emphasized that AR enabled the team to achieve much more than they had originally anticipated: “The original project goal was to see if we could use AR to develop enhanced assembly solutions and reduce costly manufacturing time,” he said. “We saw that the team could do so much more.”
