NASA awards university $1.9 million
NASA’s Johnson Space Flight Center has awarded Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory a “$1.9 million contract to build a Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) for the International Space Station,” said Trina Paskett, Public Relations Specialists Education Outreach coordinator.
The FPMU is comprised of four sensors that monitor electrostatic charging of the space station as well as the surrounding ionospheric plasma density and temperature. This information will be used to ensure the safety of astronauts during their space walks, known as Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA), according to a USU news release.
“The space station has unique concerns regarding vehicle charging, SDL division director Pat Patterson said, Solar panels aboard the station collect electrons faster than can be emitted driving the vehicle to a negative potential relative to its surrounding space environment.
“A similar situation is created when you walk across a carpet, building up a static electrical charge,” Patterson said. “If you touch an object, such as a doorknob, with a different charge you’ll get a shock.”
In the same way, he said, “Astronauts charge to a different potential than the space station as they perform activities during space walks. If the voltage difference created between them and the station becomes severe enough, it may discharge and upset spacecraft electronics, damage surface coatings, burn holes in thermal blanketing or cause failure of the astronaut’s space suit.”
As the station continues to grow, more solar panels must be added to power its systems. The more panels, the more negative charging, according to the release.
“FPMU is a critical piece of hardware that must be in place before more panels can be added,” Patterson said.
The FPMU sensors will allow astronauts to know when it is safe to venture outside the space station and will warn operators when differential charges need to be adjusted.
According to the news release, SDL has extensive experience building these types of sensors which, up to this point, have only been used in scientific research.
“It is a transition from technology in the science world to cutting-edge technology in the operational world,” Patterson said, “We are excited to be involved in this program.”
The FPMU project resulted from ongoing research by Charles Swenson, professor in USU’s electrical and computer engineering department, who will be the project’s principle investigator. FPMU is expected to be ready for launch in January 2003, according to the release.