1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,200 T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, we're underway. 2 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:07,200 And gravity base is... 3 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:09,200 Endeavour, go at front left. 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:22,200 ♪♪ 5 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:26,200 ♪♪ 6 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,200 Welcome. 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,200 I am monitored to respond to the name Robbie. 8 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:37,200 I was created by Dr. Morbius on the main sequence star, Altair, 9 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:42,200 as documented in the classic science fiction movie, Forbidden Planet. 10 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:47,200 On Earth, I've been starring in movies and television for nearly 50 years, 11 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:51,200 and I am the most famous robot of all time. 12 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:53,200 Modest, too. 13 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,200 Well, enough about me. 14 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:59,200 When I heard that NASA was in need of a robot helper for the astronauts, 15 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,200 I volunteered for the job. 16 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:05,200 But wouldn't you know, NASA is already creating their own robot 17 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:09,200 designed to meet their special needs and space flight requirements. 18 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:13,200 I guess NASA is not ready for a famous robotic actor like me 19 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:15,200 to work on the space station. 20 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,200 On this episode of NASA Connect, 21 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:21,200 you'll be introduced to the systems on this robot 22 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:23,200 and the math, science, and technology 23 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:28,200 that go into designing a robot for astronauts in a spacecraft. 24 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:32,200 In your classroom, you'll do a cool hands-on activity 25 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:34,200 about the problem the engineers are facing, 26 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:37,200 how to reduce the size of the robot. 27 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:39,200 And using the online activity, 28 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:44,200 you'll learn about the forces that affect how the robot moves in space. 29 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:47,200 Stay tuned as host Jennifer Pulley 30 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:51,200 takes you on another exciting episode of NASA Connect. 31 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:54,200 PSA, the astronaut's helper. 32 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:58,200 ♪ MUSIC ♪ 33 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,200 Hi, I'm Jennifer Pulley, and welcome to NASA Connect, 34 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:33,200 the show that connects you to math, science, technology, and NASA. 35 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:38,200 We're here at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California. 36 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,200 Now, you know, this episode of NASA Connect 37 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:43,200 is all about robots in NASA's space program. 38 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:48,200 Now, you may think of a robot as a mechanical creature that walks around. 39 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:52,200 But did you know that the first person to use the word robot 40 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:54,200 wasn't a scientist at all? 41 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:58,200 In fact, he was a Czechoslovakian writer named Karel Čapek. 42 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:02,200 In Czech, the word robata means forced labor. 43 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:05,200 Now, in his play, Rossum's Universal Robots, 44 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:08,200 Čapek used the word to describe electronic servants 45 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:11,200 who turn on their masters when given emotions. 46 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:15,200 In 1941, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov 47 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:19,200 first used the word robotics to describe the technology of robots 48 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,200 and predicted the rise of a powerful robot industry. 49 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:25,200 In the 1950s, it seemed like robots were featured 50 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:29,200 in nearly every science fiction movie and TV show. 51 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:31,200 Like me! 52 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:36,200 But since then, robots have moved from science fiction to science. 53 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:39,200 Unimate was the first industrial robot 54 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:43,200 used in a General Motors automobile factory in 1961. 55 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:47,200 Since then, the field of robotics has advanced 56 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:51,200 as computers have become more powerful and compact. 57 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:54,200 With powerful computers, scientists can program robots 58 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:58,200 with artificial intelligence so that they can make decisions. 59 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,200 When I let go, it will straight away start again into the right slinky action. 60 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,200 During the course of this program, 61 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:08,200 you will be asked several inquiry-based questions. 62 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:10,200 After the questions appear on the screen, 63 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:12,200 your teacher will pause the program 64 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,200 to allow you time to answer and discuss the questions. 65 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:19,200 This is your time to explore and become critical thinkers. 66 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,200 But before we take a look at all the different types of robots, 67 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:26,200 here are some questions for you to think about and discuss. 68 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:29,200 If you could have your own personal robot, 69 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,200 what would you like your robot to do? 70 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,200 How intelligent would your robot have to be? 71 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,200 How would you communicate with your robot? 72 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:40,200 Teachers, pause the program, 73 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:43,200 and students, write down what you think. 74 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,200 Okay, guys, now let's meet a robotics engineer 75 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:52,200 and learn about some of the different types of robots being built at NASA. 76 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:53,200 Thanks, Jen. 77 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:56,200 My name is Dr. Ayanna Howard here at JPL, 78 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:58,200 NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. 79 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,200 This is the Mars Yard, 80 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,200 where we actually test the rovers before sending them to Mars. 81 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:07,200 NASA uses robots to do things that are too dangerous for humans. 82 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:10,200 Robots are used to explore planets 83 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:13,200 and even maintain and repair the outside of vehicles, 84 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,200 such as the International Space Station. 85 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,200 Hey, guys, did you design your robot 86 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:23,200 to do things that are too dangerous for you to do or too tedious? 87 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,200 Robots are the tools that allow scientists 88 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:28,200 to reach beyond the Earth to other planets. 89 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:33,200 In the 1970s, NASA sent a spacecraft to explore the planet Mercury. 90 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,200 It was called the Mariner 10 probe. 91 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:39,200 It flew past the planet three times and took thousands of photos. 92 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:42,200 For the first time, scientists could actually see 93 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:45,200 what the surface of the planet looks like. 94 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:50,200 Rovers are actually robots that can land on other planets and move around. 95 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:54,200 Sojourner was the first of the rovers to land on the planet Mars. 96 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,200 Its mission was to test the rocks in the air. 97 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:02,200 It takes several minutes for a command signal to reach a robot in space. 98 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:05,200 Sometimes a robot can't wait for mission control. 99 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:07,200 It has to make decisions on its own. 100 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,200 This ability is called autonomy. 101 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,200 Sojourner was semi-autonomous, 102 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:16,200 which means it can make some decisions on its own. 103 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:18,200 I work on autonomy for Mars exploration. 104 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:22,200 We want to land precisely where there are good samples to study. 105 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:27,200 We want to be careful so we don't hit any cliffs or boulders on the surface of Mars. 106 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:31,200 We can use airbags, but we can't land precisely. 107 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:34,200 That's why we use artificial intelligence. 108 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:39,200 Not only can we use artificial intelligence to land the spacecraft safely on Mars, 109 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:43,200 but we can use the same intelligence to give the rovers a little bit more smarts 110 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:45,200 when they actually get to the surface. 111 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:52,200 The future of space exploration depends on building these smart robots. 112 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:55,200 Thank you, Dr. Howard. 113 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:59,200 Okay, guys, let's head over to the NASA Ames Research Center here in California 114 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:03,200 to learn more about robots from researcher Maria Bullitt. 115 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,200 What a cool robot! Tell me about K-9. 116 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:10,200 K-9 is a prototype of a Mars exploration rover with stereo cameras, 117 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:12,200 so it can take 3D pictures, 118 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:18,200 and it's got an arm that lets us practice putting science instruments on rocks and on soil. 119 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:22,200 Okay, Maria, so how will K-9 know what to do on Mars? 120 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:26,200 It will receive instructions from Earth on what experiments to conduct. 121 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:30,200 A robot's shape, capabilities, and method of locomotion depend on what you want it to do. 122 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:34,200 Well, besides K-9, what other robots does NASA have? 123 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:38,200 We're testing planetary robots in the Rio Tinto, or Red River region of Spain, 124 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:41,200 where the terrain looks a lot like the surface of Mars. 125 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:45,200 That robot is built to burrow into the ground and look for signs of life. 126 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:49,200 Robots are also being built to maintain and repair the outside of a space vehicle. 127 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:54,200 Robonaut is a humanoid robot that performs tasks that other robots can't. 128 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:55,200 From the safety of the space station, 129 00:07:55,200 --> 00:08:00,200 an astronaut controls the movement of Robonaut's hands with a control system known as telepresence. 130 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:05,200 AirCam is another experimental robot that's being designed to fly outside a space station 131 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:08,200 and lets astronauts inside see what's going on outside. 132 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:12,200 Scientists are also designing robots to help us out here on Earth. 133 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:14,200 Gizmet, the sociable robot. 134 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:16,200 Aww, did he say he loves me? 135 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,200 I love you, too. 136 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:23,200 Scientists at MIT are working on building a robot that can interact with people. 137 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:28,200 So, there are many different kinds of robots that are designed to work in many different environments. 138 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:34,200 That's right. Robots may need parts that can see, parts that enable them to move around, and parts that make decisions. 139 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,200 All these parts must work together for the robot to function. 140 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:39,200 They make up a mechanical system. 141 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:40,200 Thanks, Maria. 142 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,200 So, can you think of a mechanical system? 143 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:47,200 Remember, a mechanical system is something that's made up of many different parts, 144 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:51,200 and those parts work together so the system will function. 145 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:57,200 Now it's time for your teacher to pause the program and for you to answer the following questions. 146 00:08:57,200 --> 00:08:59,200 What is a mechanical system? 147 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,200 And what are some examples of mechanical systems? 148 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:08,200 You know, we use the word system to describe something that is made up of different parts 149 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,200 that must work together in order for the system to function. 150 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:15,200 A car is a mechanical system, and it's made up of different parts, 151 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:19,200 like an engine, the body, the doors, and the wheels. 152 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:22,200 Each part can't get you where you want to go, 153 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:27,200 but when the parts work together as a mechanical system, you can go places with it. 154 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,200 The International Space Station is also a mechanical system, 155 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,200 with parts in it that work together as a whole. 156 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:38,200 Say, do you know how busy the astronauts are onboard the International Space Station? 157 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,200 Well, let me tell you. 158 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:45,200 Each astronaut conducts hundreds of experiments for scientists in the United States 159 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:49,200 and in many other countries, so they could use a little help. 160 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:54,200 Now, let's go to NASA Ames Research Center and meet engineer Yuri Godyak, 161 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:57,200 who thought of a way to help the astronauts. 162 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:01,200 Yuri, tell us about how you're going to help the astronauts on station. 163 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:05,200 Well, in addition to doing experiments, the astronauts have to do a lot of logistics, 164 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:08,200 inventory tracking, air samples, and water samples. 165 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:12,200 So as a research team, we wanted to help offload those activities. 166 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:17,200 So we developed a robot that we were inspired by, by Star Trek with the tricorder 167 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:20,200 and by Star Wars with a floating orb. 168 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:24,200 And what we added to that was the ability to do scheduling, procedures, training, 169 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:27,200 and then also environmental sensing. 170 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:31,200 And we wanted it to be mobile so it could go follow the crew or go off on its own 171 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:34,200 and actually monitor by itself. 172 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:38,200 So what we developed is the Personal Satellite Assistant. 173 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,200 Yuri, that is so cool. 174 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:44,200 Find out more about this robot that NASA is building to help the astronauts. 175 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:50,200 As you watch the program, think about your robot as a system 176 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:54,200 and the parts it will need in order to perform the tasks you assign to it. 177 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:59,200 Now, guys, this is the PSA, or Personal Satellite Assistant Laboratory, 178 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,200 here at the NASA Ames Research Center. 179 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:03,200 And this is Dr. Keith Neiswander. 180 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:04,200 Hi. How are you, Keith? 181 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:05,200 Good. 182 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,200 Tell us, what will the PSA be able to do? 183 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:11,200 The PSA will be able to check the inventory, the temperature, the air pressure, 184 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:13,200 and air composition on the space station. 185 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,200 It needs to move around by itself in microgravity, 186 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,200 avoid things that get in its way, 187 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:21,200 and communicate with computers and people like mission control and astronauts. 188 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,200 It must also understand the astronauts' commands 189 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,200 and let the astronauts know when something needs to be addressed. 190 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:29,200 So, Keith, it sounds like the PSA is a system 191 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:32,200 that's made up of many other systems that all must work together. 192 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:35,200 That's right. A lot of this work has never been done before. 193 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,200 We've never had a robot that flies around by itself in microgravity 194 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:40,200 with humans for long periods of time 195 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,200 and knows what to do and understands what you say. 196 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:44,200 What is microgravity? 197 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:47,200 Microgravity means that you feel very little of the force of gravity 198 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:52,200 because the ISS and everything in it is in free fall as the ISS revolves around the Earth. 199 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:54,200 Want to learn more about microgravity? 200 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:56,200 Well, then check out the NASA Connect program, 201 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,200 Who Added the Micro to Gravity? 202 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:00,200 Now back to the PSA. 203 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:02,200 The PSA has a propulsion system, 204 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:06,200 a sensor system for measuring things like temperature and pressure and detecting obstacles. 205 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:09,200 There's also a navigation system for knowing where it is in the station 206 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:11,200 and knowing how to get from place to place. 207 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,200 It also has an artificial intelligence system so it can make decisions 208 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:19,200 and a communication system so it can communicate with astronauts and ground control. 209 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:24,200 How will the PSA see where it's going so it can avoid obstacles that may get in its way? 210 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:28,200 The PSA will use proximity sensors to tell if something is nearby. 211 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,200 All these little holes are sensors. 212 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:32,200 They're using sonar or sound waves. 213 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:33,200 Sonar. 214 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:39,200 Isn't that what bats use to navigate and what whales and dolphins use to locate schools of fish? 215 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,200 Yeah, it's the same idea. 216 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:44,200 The PSA also has four pairs of cameras for stereo vision. 217 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:47,200 What is stereo vision? 218 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:49,200 Well, two eyes enable depth perception. 219 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:53,200 With only one eye, it's difficult to tell how far away something is. 220 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,200 Most animals have two eyes. 221 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:59,200 The PSA has eight cameras which serve as eyes to perceive depth all around it. 222 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:03,200 Cameras will also be used to show mission control what's happening on the space station 223 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,200 and allow video conferencing with the astronauts. 224 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:09,200 The PSA also has a thermal imager that looks for hot spots. 225 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:13,200 This is very important for doing things like looking for an overheating rack. 226 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:17,200 The PSA will also have a laser pointer on it that can be controlled from the ground. 227 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,200 Engineers on the ground will be able to point to things on the space station 228 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,200 and the astronauts will know what they're referring to. 229 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,200 Wow, the PSA is going to be busy. 230 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,200 What other responsibilities will it have? 231 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:31,200 Well, they can keep track of the astronaut's schedule, alert them when something needs to be done, 232 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,200 and give them instructions when they need to repair something. 233 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:37,200 So the astronauts wouldn't have to use their manuals anymore. 234 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,200 The PSA would tell them what to do. 235 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,200 That's right. The manuals are all in electronic form, 236 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:45,200 either in the computers on the ISS or the computers at mission control. 237 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:49,200 So the PSA can access the information from the computers and read it to the astronauts 238 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,200 or show it to them on the PSA's monitor. 239 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:55,200 So the PSA is a system that contains other systems so that it can work. 240 00:13:55,200 --> 00:14:01,200 That's right. The PSA has sensor, navigation, propulsion, communication, and artificial intelligence systems. 241 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:03,200 Thanks, Keith. 242 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:06,200 So guys, what mechanical system did you choose? 243 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:11,200 Now is the time for your teacher to pause the tape so you can discuss your mechanical systems. 244 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:17,200 Here are some examples of mechanical systems you probably come in contact with every day. 245 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:22,200 Dr. Nice Warner mentioned several PSA systems. 246 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:25,200 Now it's time to look in detail at one of those systems. 247 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:31,200 Hi, I'm here with Dan Andrews, and he's a research engineer on the PSA team. 248 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:32,200 Hey, Dan. 249 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:33,200 Hey, Jennifer. 250 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:35,200 Tell me a little bit about what you do here. 251 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:38,200 I'm a controls and automation engineer at the NASA Ames Research Center. 252 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,200 My team is working on evolving the PSA system. 253 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:45,200 I'm a controls and automation engineer at the NASA Ames Research Center. 254 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:48,200 My team is working on evolving the PSA robot vehicle. 255 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:51,200 In designing the propulsion system for the PSA, 256 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:56,200 we had to keep in mind that things move differently on the International Space Station than they do here on Earth. 257 00:14:56,200 --> 00:15:02,200 Jen, this would be a good time to see if students can describe two ways in which motion of something in the Space Station 258 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,200 is different than the way things move on Earth. 259 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,200 Dan, I think that's a great idea. 260 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:08,200 Teachers, now is the time to pause the program. 261 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:14,200 And students, write down two ways that you think items move differently in space than they do here on Earth. 262 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:19,200 If you mention something about microgravity, well, you're on the right track. 263 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,200 You may have seen microgravity on the International Space Station. 264 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:27,200 It appears that items are floating on the International Space Station, 265 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:31,200 but in fact, everything is moving or falling at the same rate. 266 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:37,200 To learn more about microgravity, check out the NASA Connect program, Who Added the Micro to Gravity? 267 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,200 So did you mention something about friction or lack of friction? 268 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:43,200 Well, you're also on the right track. 269 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:47,200 The motion of an object on the Space Station is like moving on ice 270 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,200 or throwing a ball versus rolling it on the ground. 271 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:55,200 This is a functional prototype of the PSA, which means it's a working model. 272 00:15:55,200 --> 00:16:00,200 We have also tested the prototype on a granite table, which has very little friction, like an air hockey table. 273 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,200 So it's a simulation of what motion is like on the ISS. 274 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:06,200 So, Dan, how does the PSA move? 275 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,200 In this functional prototype of the PSA, we're using fans. 276 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:12,200 We have six sets of fans located around the robot. 277 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:16,200 Air is drawn in from one side of the fans and expelled out the other side. 278 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:20,200 That creates a force on the robot and enables the PSA robot to move. 279 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:23,200 It's important that we use a quiet propulsion system 280 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:27,200 because it's relatively noisy on the Space Station, and we don't want to aggravate the problem. 281 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:31,200 We also need to test the PSA in three dimensions. 282 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:36,200 We need to allow it to move up and down, left and right, forward and backward. 283 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:42,200 Within this facility, we've created a smart crane, which lets the PSA move as if it's in space. 284 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:48,200 We use this crane to test how the PSA can do obstacle avoidance and just generally get around. 285 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:53,200 Dan, aren't there some laws or rules of motion that affect the way things move? 286 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:57,200 That's right. There are laws of motion that apply whether you're here on Earth or on the ISS. 287 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,200 Sir Isaac Newton figured out the laws of motion way back in the 1600s. 288 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:04,200 He said that an object at rest will remain at rest. 289 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,200 Sure, Dan, that makes sense. 290 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:09,200 If something is sitting on a table, for instance, 291 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:12,200 it will stay there until someone moves it or some force moves it away. 292 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:17,200 Newton also said that once an object is in motion, it will keep moving unless you apply a force to it, 293 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,200 like giving it a push or a pull. 294 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:21,200 Now, wait a minute. That doesn't make sense to me. 295 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,200 Doesn't everything just stop moving eventually? 296 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,200 Things stop moving because of gravity and friction. 297 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:29,200 In microgravity, you can really see Newton's laws at work. 298 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:31,200 Let me see if I have this straight. 299 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:35,200 If something is moving, it may or may not have a force acting on it. 300 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:38,200 And to stop it, you have to apply a force? 301 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:42,200 That's right. On the ISS, the PSA will float because of microgravity, 302 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:45,200 and it will keep moving once you push it. 303 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,200 So Newton was a pretty smart guy. 304 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:52,200 I mean, he thought of this 300 years before NASA sent astronauts into space. 305 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:56,200 Once you apply a force, like pushing the PSA, it will move and keep moving. 306 00:17:56,200 --> 00:18:01,200 In fact, the PSA will keep moving even if you turn the fans off and apply no force at all. 307 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:04,200 Okay, so how do you stop the PSA? 308 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:08,200 You have to turn the fans on again and apply a force in the opposite direction. 309 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:13,200 Now you can check out the way the PSA will move on the ISS. 310 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:15,200 Here's what Newton said. 311 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:18,200 An object at rest will remain at rest. 312 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:24,200 An object in motion will remain in motion unless a force acts on it. 313 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:29,200 Now it's your turn to try the online activity found at the NASA Connect website. 314 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:35,200 Your challenge is to get the PSA to the overheated racks before the time runs out. 315 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:40,200 Each click gives the PSA one unit of force in the direction of the arrows. 316 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:42,200 Remember Newton's Law. 317 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:48,200 The PSA will keep moving unless you apply another force to it in the opposite direction. 318 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:55,200 Your teacher will now pause the program so that you can go to your computers and check out the activity. 319 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:59,200 I gave the PSA too much force. It hit the side of the ISS. 320 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:04,200 The PSA keeps moving after you have applied a force to it. 321 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:09,200 You have to apply a force in the opposite direction to stop the PSA. 322 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,200 Newton also had something to say about motion and the mass of objects. 323 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:17,200 The more massive an object is, the more force is required to accelerate it or to stop it. 324 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:20,200 So if the PSA is very massive, for instance, 325 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:25,200 it's going to take a lot of force to get it moving and a lot of force to stop it. 326 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:29,200 You're right. The greater the mass of the PSA, the more force it takes to slow it down. 327 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:31,200 The fans have to work harder. 328 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:35,200 If we make the PSA lighter, it requires less force to slow it down than to stop it. 329 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:39,200 If the PSA was going to go too fast, it might bump into the side of the ISS. 330 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,200 So we need to make the PSA as light as possible. 331 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:46,200 The current model that you see here is the 12-inch working prototype. 332 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:52,200 Our goal is to reduce the PSA size down to this 8-inch diameter model. 333 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:57,200 With the invention of the transistor, computers and other electronic gadgets became smaller and smaller. 334 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,200 That's right. You know, when our grandparents were kids, 335 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:03,200 they listened to radios that were like large pieces of furniture. 336 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,200 Today, radios and digital players are really tiny. 337 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:10,200 That's right. A computer with the same power as this PDA filled this huge room. 338 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:13,200 The PSA has a computer inside it, and in addition, 339 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:18,200 the PSA can connect to computers on the space station or on Earth with a wireless connection 340 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,200 and use the computing power of those computers. 341 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:26,200 So the PSA can be small because it doesn't need a big computer inside of it. 342 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:30,200 But why is it round? And how do you make the shell round? 343 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:35,200 Round shapes don't have any sharp corners, so the PSA won't accidentally damage the ISS. 344 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:39,200 We design the round shell with a computer program for solid modeling. 345 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:44,200 Once the design is complete, we send an electronic file to the manufacturer to create a shell. 346 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:48,200 The process is called stereolithography, or SLA. 347 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:52,200 To make the PSA smaller, we need to redesign and shrink the parts in the PSA 348 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:54,200 so that they fit into a smaller sphere. 349 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:58,200 Wait a minute. I don't know if that's the best way to do it. 350 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:02,200 When we make things smaller, though, we have to keep some things in mind. 351 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:07,200 For example, the computer that's in the PSA needs to have space around it so that it can stay cool. 352 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:10,200 The computer gives off its heat from the surface area of the board, 353 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:12,200 which means we need to provide space for cooling. 354 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:16,200 Additionally, when we consider shrinking the fans to fit in a smaller PSA, 355 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:20,200 we discover they became very inefficient, forcing us to move to a blower design. 356 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:23,200 It's similar to how a leaf blower works. 357 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:29,200 Okay, guys, let's review some math concepts so you can figure out how to fit your parts into the PSA. 358 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:35,200 This is a rectangular prism. Now, each one of its six sides is a rectangle. 359 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:41,200 The surface area of the rectangular prism is the sum of the areas of the six sides. 360 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:47,200 The volume of a rectangular prism is the area of the base times the height of the prism. 361 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:50,200 Let's take a look at cylinders. 362 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:56,200 The base of a cylinder is a circle. Let's take a look at the parts of a circle. 363 00:21:56,200 --> 00:22:00,200 The circumference is the distance around a circle. 364 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:05,200 The radius is the distance from the center of a circle to any point on the circle. 365 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:09,200 The diameter of a circle is twice the radius. 366 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:13,200 Thousands of years ago, mathematicians measured the circumference of circles 367 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:17,200 and divided the circumference by the diameter. 368 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:21,200 They always came up with the same number, around 3.14. 369 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:24,200 This number is called pi. 370 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:29,200 Now, watch this and see how we can find the area of a circle. 371 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:33,200 We cut up the circle and move the pieces around. 372 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:37,200 Now, the area is the width times the height. 373 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:42,200 The width is pi times the radius, and the height is the radius. 374 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:46,200 The surface area of a cylinder is the sum of the areas of the two circles 375 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:50,200 and the area of the side, which is really a rectangle. 376 00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:55,200 The volume of a cylinder is the area of the circle times the height of the cylinder. 377 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,200 Now, here's the challenge. 378 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:05,200 Find the length, height, and width of a rectangular prism that has a volume of 24 cubic inches, 379 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:11,200 fits into an 8-inch PSA, and has as much surface area as possible. 380 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:16,200 Find out whether a tall cylinder or a wide cylinder has more surface area 381 00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:19,200 when the volume stays the same. 382 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:23,200 You can download the files for this activity from the NASA Connect website. 383 00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:28,200 It's now time for your teacher to pause the program so you can take the challenge. 384 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:34,200 Use your imagination. Draw figures. Take measurements. Do calculations. 385 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:37,200 We're Miss Kansas' 7th grade math class. 386 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:41,200 The students at Graham Middle School in Mountain View, California, took the challenge. 387 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:43,200 Let's see some of their results. 388 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:46,200 Recall the two questions in this activity. 389 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:52,200 One, what are the dimensions of a rectangular prism that has a volume of 24 cubic inches, 390 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:56,200 fits into an 8-inch PSA, and has the maximum surface area? 391 00:23:56,200 --> 00:24:04,200 And two, if the volume stays the same, does a tall cylinder or a wide cylinder have more surface area? 392 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:12,200 We're going to enter the surface area by using points. 393 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:13,200 Two inches. 394 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:15,200 What do you guys think? Is that going to fit? 395 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:18,200 Remember our goal is thinking about how to maximize surface area. 396 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,200 The surface area was 77.6. 397 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:23,200 What are we going to say? What dimensions are we going to recommend? 398 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:27,200 Six by five, like 0.8. 399 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:29,200 So guys, what did you find? 400 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:33,200 When you flatten a rectangular prism, the surface area increases. 401 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:38,200 You can get different answers depending on how high you make the rectangular prism. 402 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:42,200 When the radius increases, the surface area of the cylinder increases. 403 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,200 Okay, let's summarize. 404 00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:50,200 The surface area of a rectangular prism is the sum of the surface area of its six sides. 405 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:55,200 The volume of a rectangular prism is the length times the width times the height. 406 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:59,200 A rectangular prism has the minimum surface area when it's a cube, 407 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:03,200 and the surface area increases as you flatten it. 408 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:09,200 The surface area of a cylinder is the sum of the areas of the circles at the top and bottom, 409 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:11,200 and the area of the side. 410 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:17,200 The volume of a cylinder is the area of the circle at the bottom times the height of the cylinder. 411 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:24,200 When the volume is the same, a tall cylinder has less surface area than a wide cylinder. 412 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:29,200 We have to do calculations like this when we lay out the design of all the components of the PSA. 413 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:32,200 Okay, so Dan, what is the future of the PSA? 414 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:34,200 Well, once we're able to make the PSA smaller, 415 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:38,200 we'd like to consider a PSA which could further interact with the spacecraft. 416 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:42,200 Imagine a PSA with arms that could actually push buttons, retrieve tools, 417 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:45,200 and better interact with the ISS. 418 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:49,200 Well, developing effective artificial intelligence is a big challenge, 419 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:52,200 and being able to understand what the astronauts say is especially difficult 420 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:57,200 because our brains understand things in context or the situation we're in. 421 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:00,200 A critical part of the future of the PSA is the vision system. 422 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:05,200 We need vision for everything from navigation and control to identifying hazards 423 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:09,200 to doing inventory tracking and also to recognize the crew 424 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:14,200 because we need to customize schedules and training procedures to go with a particular crew member. 425 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:19,200 We also use it as sort of remote eyes for the ground folks that are running the operation 426 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:23,200 so they can inspect the station through the eyes of the PSA. 427 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:29,200 And being able to interpret what you can see will save us a great deal of time. 428 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:34,200 My thanks to Yuri, Keith, and Dan for all their information on the PSA. 429 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:37,200 And don't forget, keep checking the PSA website 430 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:42,200 for the latest developments on this personal satellite assistant. 431 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:45,200 Well, guys, that wraps up another episode of NASA Connect. 432 00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:49,200 NASA Connect would like to thank everyone who helped make this program possible. 433 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:52,200 Say, got a comment, a question, or a suggestion? 434 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:57,200 Well, then email them to connect at lark.nasa.gov 435 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,200 or pick up a pen and mail them to NASA Connect, 436 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:03,200 NASA Langley Center for Distance Learning, 437 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:08,200 NASA Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 400, Hampton, Virginia 23681. 438 00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:14,200 So, until next time, stay connected to math, science, technology, and NASA. 439 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:17,200 And maybe one day, you'll have your own personal assistant. 440 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:19,200 See ya! 441 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:31,200 So, Maria, besides K-9, what other robots is NASA testing? 442 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,200 I messed up. 443 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:47,200 Well, here I am. Let's see. 444 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:50,200 What do you think? 445 00:27:54,200 --> 00:28:00,200 So, the PSA is a system that has other systems working within it to make it work. 446 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:04,200 Dude! Brain freeze! 447 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:08,200 Okay, sorry. I'm thinking of, like, burgers and things. 448 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:21,200 Turned the wrong way. 449 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:25,200 Ha ha ha ha ha! 450 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:32,200 Ten feet, ten to our leader. 451 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:42,200 Captioning funded by the NAC Foundation of America.