Space Vision System (SVS) photogrammetry technology uses existing Shuttle payload bay camera views of targets on payloads and payload bay hardware to provide precise relative position, attitude, and rate cues in a concise graphical and digital format. The SVS will be used in support of initial space station assembly berthing tasks with the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (RMS); it will also be used during later assembly tasks with the Space Station RMS. The SVS is also being assessed to determine its feasibility to provide range, bearing, and rate information associated with prox ops applications.
The SVS flew as part of Canex-II on STS-52. It provided the RMS operators with precision position and attitude cues to support Canadian Target Assembly (CTA) unberthing, maneuvering, and berthing operations. It was also used in support of CTA deployment and free-flying proximity operations.
The Advanced SVS (ASVS) was the next generation version of the SVS with significantly upgraded operational capabilities. Its hardware was based on a Personal Computer (IBM Thinkpad 755C) with a 4-bay expansion chassis containing video cards. The ASVS was flown as a DTO on STS-74, STS-80, and STS-85 to further evaluate on-orbit performance and capabilities of the vision system. SVS targets were installed on payloads of opportunity and the Orbiter to support this testing.
The Orbiter SVS (OSVS) is the operational version of the SVS for Shuttle applications; the Space Station application is known as the Artificial Vision Function (AVF). Both systems are hard-mounted in their respective vehicles. New capabilities of the OSVS and AVF include vision system control of cameras, more robust target degradation and target reacquisition, advanced photogrammetric algorithm processing, and a streamlined user interface. The OSVS will be flown on several test flights to verify vehicle integration, to evaluate on-orbit crew operations, and to characterize on-orbit system performance. On one flight, the CTA will be flown to allow characterization of the OSVS similar to that conducted on STS-52.
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