1961 – “Little Ranger” Mobile Remote Manipulator – General Mills (American)

"The Little Ranger," a mobile remote handler, extends man's reach and dexterity into radioactive, explosive or other danger zones "off limits" to humans. Monitored by TV or viewed through a shielding window, "The Little Ranger" can manipulate 50 lb. loads, reach up to 8 feet, tow an 850-pound weight, and turn on its axis. The platform 1 …

1961 – Space Maintenance Capsule and Adapter – NORAIR (American)

NORTHROP CORPORATION NORAIR DIVISION HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA INTRODUCTION Participation in various system studies concerned with space and extraterrestrial environments has developed within Northrop Corporation, Norair Division, an acute awareness of the requirements for extra-vehicular protection of personnel in these unfriendly environments. This awareness has led to classification of work environments, anticipated tasks, and consideration of remote-handling …

1961 – Manned Space Manipulators – Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (American)

LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT CORPORATION LOCKHEED-GEORGIA COMPANY MARIETTA, GEORGIA INTRODUCTION The first manipulative tasks required of man in a space operation will be those associated with establishing a station in orbit or with operating a manned vehicle or station in orbit. Practical environmental control systems required for human survival will probably result in performance degradation at best …

1961 – Humpty Dumpty Space Capsule – Douglas Aircraft Company (American)

SANTA MONICA DIVISION DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT COMPANY, INC. SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA NONANTHROPOMORPHIC SPACE SUIT The "Humpty-Dumpty, " a nonanthropomorphic space suit (capsule), consists of an egg-shaped cylinder capable of supporting at least one man who is engaged in assembly, maintenance, or similar-type tasks in outer space (see figure 1). The capsule itself contains an ecological system …

1961 – Orbital Space Tug – General Electric (American)

GE Orbital Space Tug MISSILE AND SPACE VEHICLE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA INTRODUCTION The General Electric Company has been active in the manipulator and remote-handling equipment fields for several years. primarily in connection with its nuclear laboratories and test facilities. The application of remote-handling equipment to operations in space and lunar situations is …