a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
"Bottle Suit" Wernher von Braun holding model of the Bottle Suit. Bottle Suit The Bottle Suit shows that when you plan to make your dreams come true, you have to create a number of intermediate solutions to problems you didn't anticipate. Problems like how to assemble a Space Station in Space. In order to assemble …
Read More “1954 – “Bottle Suit” – Wernher von Braun / Walt Disney (American)”
Space Tug – 1949 The above image from a 2010 calendar with Bürgle's illustrations. I don't know if the Space Station illustration was previously published and if so, where? The caption suggests it was unpublished at the time. The Space Tugs are being used to hold and manoeuvre large panels during construction. Klaus Bürgle – …
Read More “1949 – Space Tug (Illustration) – Klaus Bürgle (German)”
Prime Vehicle "STEM" System The "STEM" system would be similar to the serpentuator, except that the translation/stabilization subsystem would be replaced by a STEM (Storable Tubular Extendible Member, Spar Aerospace Prod). The basic STEM concept is depicted in Figure 5-12. FIGURE 5-12 STEM PRINCIPLE The STEM is a continuous strip of resilient metal which is …
Read More “1970 – “STEM” Space Manipulator Arm – George Klein, Spar Aerospace (Canadian)”
1.0 INTRODUCTION Teleoperator technology is presently being studied within NASA for on-orbit applications, including assembling of large structures, servicing and retrieval of satellites. The orbital teleoperator program is being conducted by MSFC and is designed to produce a suitable system for a series of Earth Orbital Teleoperator. The orbital teleoperator system will include small dextrous …
Read More “1972 – Extendable Stiff Arm Manipulator (ESAM) – Marshall Space Flight Center (American)”
American space tug. Study 1971. The original Boeing Space Tug design of the early 1970's was sized to be flown either in a single shuttle mission or as a Saturn V payload. Optimum mass was found to be 20.6 metric tons regardless. The Tug could be outfitted with a variety of kits to serve in …
Read More “1971 – Space Tug (Concept) – MSFC/Boeing (American)”