1976 – Manned Space Pod with Manipulators (Concept) – Boeing (American)

Some robots will be made up of computerized "brawn" working in combination with human "brains" to form an efficient whole. These one-man capsules would enable workers to survive in space while performing complex tasks using robotic remote manipulators. (The Boeing Co.) Compare with Boeing's earlier 1965 concept here. See other early Space Teleoperators here. See other …

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 …

1960 – Space Manipulators – General Mills (American)

Donald F. Melton MECHANICAL DIVISION GENERAL MILLS. INC MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA INTRODUCTION Remote-handling systems can be defined as combinations of equipment the primary purpose of which is to move items relative to each other in a controlled environment. The system is includes not only the actuators and structures required for the physical tasks to be performed, …

1967 – Space Work Platform – Bendix Company (American)

SPACE WORK PLATFORM  A self-propelled space work platform for astronauts based aboard a "mother spaceship" has been designed by the Bendix Corporation's Missile Systems division in Mishawaka, Ind.  A full-scale mock-up of the space vehicle, prepared under a $40.000 contract from the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University, which was responsible for the basic …