Samuel Whitlock – Johnson Space Center

Final Goals of your project/s:

– Create a force-sensing controller for the Joint AR prototype.
– Document development and testing of the force sensing in a controls trade study to give to xEVA vendors (axiom, collins).
– Perform testing in the B7 glovebox to determine usability in a pressurized environment.

Describe what you did during the internship:

I created the Joint AR force sensing controls are in development for use in the Joint AR system as a way of UI manipulation. The force-sensing controls use force-sensitive resistors that measure the force a user outputs as a voltage through the resistor. This setup allows for variable force control that can be used completely internal to the suit and is versatile to the point where it can be used freehand or on various places around the suit, such as the opposite forearm or the same side thigh.

The force sensing controls utilized 3 force sensing resistors with 3D printed “pucks” on top of them. These pucks make it, so pressure doesn’t just deform the sensor into the finger of the subject. They also help to provide more accurate data on the force outputs.

Input commands for the short press and the short hold are relatively fast commands. In terms of versatility, the controller can be activated at any point and can be operated with only one hand. This means you have one hand to carry tools or tethers, while the other is used to cycle through procedures, while the physical hand controller requires both arms to be in use. Lastly, the ease of use. As stated earlier this control method can be activated anywhere using discrete finger movements. The control method is also flexible and offers multiple different methods of control. As of now short presses and long presses are the main 2 methods of control, however, something such as scrolling could be added if necessary.

The uncertainty of command activation stems from the lack of haptic feedback in the system. This leaves the user feeling unsure of whether the commands are actually reading or not. This has a simple solution of either integrating the piezo board, or a small vibration motor. This small fix would give the user much more confidence while using the system.

Sensor placement is the second notable problem for the controller. On this fabric, the sensors tend to shift around on the glove since they aren’t fixed by anything but hot glue or electric tape. This leads to the user having sensors slide down to the middle of the finger, which is much more uncomfortable. Two solutions exist that we have thought of so far. The first would be adding holes in the puck on the outer shell, meaning that we could sew the puck into the glove and have the sensors adhered to the surface of the puck. The other would be using something similar to EKG sensor adhesion strips, that way the sensors are adhered directly to the skin and fixed before getting into the suit.

Lastly, the activation sequence speed is another, fixable problem. Ideas for fixing the activation/deactivation speed would be decreasing the number of commands to input to activate the system. This could be done through repeated HITL testing, attempting to find a unique set of 2-3 commands while still minimizing false activations. Other ideas would be RFID/NFC activation or lighthouse activation on different body parts.

Moving forward with the force sensing controls, the next logical step would be integrating haptic feedback into a higher fidelity prototype. After that, likely full stack testing, ARGOS testing, and potentially NBL testing would help validate the system and show us more of the problems that won’t be seen unless that testing is done.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?

All goals were achieved. The result was an alternative control system that could be used to control the prototype. The team also learned a lot about potential variables that could affect other control methods, and we gathered good testing data and testing procedures that can be used for every test to form a comparative set of data.

Describe positive lessons learned:

– Minimize design variables to test other design variables
– Prototype quickly and learn as much as you can from each iteration
– Success isn’t cut and dry, sometimes success criteria can change.

Describe negative lessons learned:

– Remote work can be a bit tough, you have to find the right hours.

Matthew McDonnell – Johnson Space Center

Final Goals of your project/s:

Our lab works on flight software for exercise equipment on ISS and upcoming Artemis missions. We worked on modernizing the ISS treadmill user interface, developing new markerless motion capture recording suites, and certifying a new agility device for flight to the ISS. Some other projects in the lab worked with the ARGOS team, the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device, and the Artemis Flywheel project.

Describe what you did during the internship:

MARKERLESS MOTION CAPTURE
 – Developed new system to analyze human motion without markers
– Connect to, record, pull data, and process GoPro camera footage
– Use Stanford’s OpenCap system to analyze inverse kinematics

T2 REDESIGN
– Assist in new storyboards for user interface
– Provide feedback and suggest new UI elements
– Work with T2 team to develop project plans and timelines

WOBBLEBOARD
– Assisted a VR game to help practice agility
– Worked with the ISS program to establish a flight plan.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?

We worked hard to make advancements on the projects we have open. This semester, there were no firm deadlines on our projects, so we focused on preparing for the new team to pick up in the summer when we finally hit some deliverables. We achieved the goal of advancing our projects and preparing for the future.

Describe positive lessons learned:

I learned a lot about project management, procedures for certifying for flight, and all the subsystems that work together to make human spaceflight possible. Before my experience here, I knew that spaceflight was difficult, but now I have a massive appreciation for every individual’s unique and important positions here and how the puzzle pieces all fit together for a successful mission.

Describe negative lessons learned:

As part of learning the procedures of sending things to space, I now understand the hurdles people regularly face with regard to strict requirements, timelines, and insufficient funding from the government.

Conrad Ernst – Johnson Space Center

Final Goals of your Project/s:

The primary objective of the markerless motion capture environment was to precisely assess individuals’ physical performance during exercise routines. Through the acquisition of a 3-dimensional representation of the human body’s joint angles and force outputs, it becomes possible to track movements with greater accuracy, thereby facilitating the identification and rectification of improper movement patterns.

The central aim of the PSION database restructuring initiative was to enhance the user interface, resulting in a more efficient and self-directed system. This would enable individuals to optimize their workout routines and enjoy a more seamless and gratifying experience overall.

Describe what you did during your internship:

During my internship, I had the opportunity to work on two significant projects. The first project was centered around the development of a cutting-edge markerless motion capture environment, specifically designed to cater to the physical exercise requirements of astronauts. This innovative system enables the collection and analysis of multiple biofeedback data streams, which are then utilized to model the individual, thereby facilitating the enhancement of workout techniques. Our team accomplished a remarkable feat by devising a pipeline that harnessed the wifi capabilities of multiple GoPro cameras. This resulted in the automatic downloading of videos, synchronization of time codes, and integration of joint angles and limb placement into the videos, courtesy of a motion capture system.

The second project, PSION, was primarily focused on the revamping of the frontend software system for all IoT data streams. My role in this project involved mastering the React programming language and utilizing my newfound knowledge to redevelop the Graphical User Interface (GUI). The objective of this initiative was to streamline and optimize the user experience, and I was thrilled to be a part of this transformational undertaking.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?:

The objectives of each project were merely incremental steps in the larger plan for these initiatives. Despite making significant progress on both projects and achieving some of our primary goals, there are still numerous additional objectives that need to be met before the projects can be deemed fully completed.

In essence, the markerless motion capture environment and the PSION database restructuring projects served as crucial tools for deepening our understanding of individuals’ needs and challenges, and further stimulating innovative thinking for potential future applications. While there is still much work to be done, the foundation has been laid for the achievement of even greater strides in these areas.

Describe positive lessons learned:

Firstly, I learned the importance of effective communication and teamwork in achieving organizational goals. Working collaboratively with a diverse team of individuals with varying skill sets and backgrounds, I gained invaluable insights into the art of constructive dialogue, the benefits of active listening, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude even when faced with challenges.

Secondly, I learned to embrace new challenges and take calculated risks in the pursuit of growth and development. My exposure to cutting-edge technologies, such as motion capture and IoT systems, was a steep learning curve, but I was able to rise to the challenge and expand my knowledge base through persistence and hard work.

Lastly, I learned to appreciate the value of time management and organization. Balancing multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities was no mean feat, but with careful planning and efficient use of time, I was able to remain focused and productive throughout my internship.

Overall, my internship experience has been incredibly rewarding, providing me with practical skills and knowledge that I can carry forward into my future endeavors.

Describe negative lessons learned:

One of the main negative lessons was the need to manage expectations effectively. While it is important to set ambitious goals, it is equally important to ensure that these goals are achievable within the given time frame and resources. On certain occasions, I found myself struggling to meet unrealistic expectations and timelines, leading to feelings of frustration and disappointment.

Another negative lesson that I learned was the need to be resilient in the face of failure or setbacks. Despite my best efforts, there were instances where things did not go as planned, or I made mistakes that resulted in unfavorable outcomes. However, through these experiences, I learned to accept failure as a natural part of the learning process, and to view setbacks as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Overall, the negative lessons I learned during my internship have provided me with valuable insights into the importance of effective expectation management, resilience, and self-care in achieving success and maintaining well-being.

Hunter Underwood – Johnson Space Center

Final Goals of your Project/s:

Going into this summer, I wanted to get as much exposure to Johnson Space Center as I could. I also wanted the opportunity to work directly with hardware by designing and testing components. I have had two major focuses in this summer’s internship: testing of the PLSS Auxiliary Feedwater Supply Assembly (AFSA) and test data analysis. My goals for AFSA testing included completion of water pressure testing and post-testing analysis. For the test data analysis, my goal was to successfully verify all requirements from the PLSS specification document relevant to the testing and then document my analysis in a report.

Describe what you did during your internship:

During the internship, I got the opportunity to work directly with hardware. I formed my own test schematic and procedures. Then retrieved the parts and built the test circuit. After the test was set up, I conducted several test series while collecting data and drawing conclusions based on anomalies that occurred. These kinds of experiences increased my confidence with the hardware and how the system works as a whole. In addition to working with the hardware, I conducted data analysis on full space suit portable life support system (PLSS) tests. I built a good understanding of how the PLSS works by creating plots in MATLAB and analyzing the trends in the data to draw conclusions on what they mean. Outside of my projects, I participated in multiple lectures and tours. This helped me network as well as gain knowledge about NASA and my career.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?:

I achieved several of my goals during my internship this summer. I cannot say that I was disappointed at all about the work I put in or the things I was involved in. As a result of the hard work, I learned a lot about space suits, hardware, and collecting/interpreting data. I also learned a lot about the other branches at Johnson Space Center. It was important that I took the initiative to reach out to others and get involved because there was a lot to learn outside of my project team.

Describe positive lessons learned:

I learned throughout the internship just how much there is to be involved in through NASA. There are a lot of different exciting technologies I could work with, and I could almost certainly find the right place for me. I also found that I love working with hardware and new product development.

Describe negative lessons learned:

One thing I found is that you get back what you put in. In most cases, there aren’t projects set aside for you already and there isn’t clear direction on what to get involved in. If you’re interested in getting involved whether it’s socially, informationally, or with projects you need to take the initiative early on or the summer will pass by, and you may miss your chance.

Matthew McDonnell – Johnson Space Center

Final Goals of your Project/s:

ARED DATA TROUBLESHOOTING
– Determine issues with resistive exercise device sensor data collection system
– Create a procedure to troubleshoot
– Use ground test units to mimic on-orbit conditions for issue-sourcing

MARKERLESS MOTION CAPTURE
– Integrate system with OpenSim and SWRI data processing pipelines
– Test system inside the ISS mockups
– Look into more advanced data processing systems ASCR DATABASE
– Create a database for Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation teams
– Frontend system for data input and visualization
– Add AI models to study data to find trends that humans can’t see

ZERO-G CALORIE BURN
– Determine a method of how to measure calorie burn in space
– Develop a new algorithm to live-calculate based on the systems already in orbit
– Understand crew member exertion to inform the nutrition team about calorie needs

Describe what you did during your internship:

I did a lot this summer with my team! There were a lot of interns in our group this session which allowed us to expand our reach and pick up the pace at the same time. I worked on a good number of projects – some of which I also started working on in the spring, but others were new to me this session. I learned a few new programming languages, got exposure to database/website development workflows, and got more exposure to the nitty gritty mechanics of flying things to space. I also met a lot of scientists, physiologists, cardiologists, kinesiologists, and more. In my PAXC employee resource group, I also continued building my network with high-level NASA administrators and got an intern trip planned for off-site interns from across the country to come to JSC.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?:

I’ve made a lot of progress on my goals this summer. Our projects gained a lot of momentum this summer and we did a good job of setting the fall intern class up for success. The calorie-burning project was a later addition to my project portfolio, and it’s going to take a long time to complete, so I’ll be working on it with school partners at UI this coming year as part of a senior design/honors thesis project as well.

Describe positive lessons learned:

I continued to build upon my spring internship with regard to my networking, socialization, and performance goals. I benefit everyday from the extra effort I put into making new friends and discovering new opportunities. Most of the time, people say “no” to things not because it’s actually against the rules but because they don’t know (and they’re almost always not the right person to ask in the first place). You just have to keep pushing!

Describe negative lessons learned:

I learned so much about how people fly things to space and what to do when things don’t work the way we want them to. Patience, resilience, negotiation – all skills I didn’t know I needed as much as I really do.

Impact: This internship session has allowed me to work with new people in new roles. Since I’ve had some experience in the spring with this team already, I was able to step into new shoes and explore more of what our branch does with Flight Operations. It’s a super unique opportunity that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’m also meeting new people both inside and outside of NASA that I can connect with for masters programs or other opportunities after my undergraduate time.

Sean Frett – Collins Aerospace (Industry)

Final Goals of your Project/s:

The Water Processing Assembly (WPA) is one of the many complex systems on the International Space Station. It is responsible for recycling sweat and urine into potable water, reducing the amount of water needed to supply the station. Leto is an ongoing Collins Aerospace project to predict failures in life support systems with the purpose of creating remaining useful life models for various components. My main role was to develop a machine-learning model for general-purpose anomaly detection, which if successful, could be included as a feature in Leto to analyze any life support system for potential upcoming failures.

In addition to Leto, I also contributed to the Haughton-Mars Project (HMP). This is a long-running project to determine how humans would live and work on Mars, and its scope extends far beyond this report. My task was to help develop and improve a piece of software known as Hodos, a voice-and-motion-operated user interface displayed on a pair of augmented reality glasses. This technology reveals vital statistics and allows the user to view their position and objectives on an interactive, 3-dimensional map. My tasks were to improve the user interface layout, add new information to the heads-up display, and improve the motion controls for navigating the map. I worked on this project in parallel with Leto throughout the Summer.

Describe what you did during your internship:

For the Leto project, my original task was to create a remaining useful life model for a filter in the WPA. Unfortunately, the lack of sensors around this filter proved prohibitive. After a week of trying and failing to work around this restriction, my supervisor instead directed me to flesh out a concept for anomaly detection in the WPA using machine learning. The ML technique is designed to analyze a set of relevant sensor data for any given day and to determine whether it is unusual. To find the most effective parameters for the algorithm, I wrote a set of algorithms dubbed the “anomaly pipeline” in Jupyter Notebook, which would access a database of WPA data, train hundreds of ML algorithms, score them based on some criteria that I modified over the summer, and return the model with the best score.

I designed a new layout for Hodos as shown in my report. This interface is displayed on a set of augmented reality glasses and a small screen external to the analog spacesuit, both with the same layout. To improve the testing experience, I also added indicators for the device’s battery percentage and CPU temperature. Hodos is mainly operated using voice commands, but the user may also navigate the map using a proprietary smart glove. The glove’s motion controls were originally far too sensitive, but after I turned the sensitivity down and extended the dead zones on the more sensitive axes, the other project members found the glove easier and even fun to use.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?:

For the Leto project, although I cannot reveal the precise set of metrics gathered in the data access phase or the most successful scoring methods used, I can say that most attempts resulted in models with poor adaptability or too little sensitivity. Some phases of the WPA’s history seem harder to generalize than others; many models performed well when testing on recent data but seemed incapable of getting coherent results on data deeper into the WPA’s history.

More effective methods to score the models could be developed, but by the end of the internship, I was beginning to opine that our current machine-learning algorithm might have limited utility. On the positive, we found useful techniques for visualizing the data. Hodos is a prototype and is still very much a work in progress, and it is still missing many useful features that would be useful on real missions, such as displays for oxygen and water levels. If the external display proves more intuitive to use than the AR glasses, a special interface layout for the screen would be a welcome addition.

The number of other hardware components makes setting up Hodos a lengthy endeavor even before adding vital sensor connections, but it should be possible to streamline the process somewhat with better software automation and clear error messages when a device is connected incorrectly. Despite our efforts earlier in the Summer, Hodos still cannot download and save a map from ArcGIS for offline use, but our testers can work around it for now by starting Hodos while connected to the internet and moving the map camera along the desired route.

Describe positive lessons learned:

Trying and failing is an important part of research and development. In many cases, finding a method that won’t work is just as important as finding one that does. Who you work with is just as important as how passionate you are about the work itself. Luckily, this job scored well in both metrics.

Describe negative lessons learned:

The aerospace industry is highly bureaucratic. As an example, it took me the better part of a month to install the software necessary to make my contributions to the Haughton-Mars Project. As another example, I had my report done by August 10, but it only got approved for export yesterday. When budgets are tight due to a fellow subsidiary having to fix faulty engines, internal research and development is among the first things to get its funding cut. Collins Aerospace is a large company, and although I had a good time overall, experiences can vary among individuals.

Impact: Having an internship in a part of the country I’ve never been to before was a fun experience, and this may be a good career path for me. The next step is to decide whether I want to continue this project next summer or strike off on a new adventure. In the former case, my qualifications would be obvious, and if I do the latter, the experience will enable me to get into almost any related job. This internship was important regardless of which path I take.

Matthew McDonnell – Johnson Space Center

What were the final goals of your project?

We got the variables we’d like to use isolated but are looking now at testing the algorithm with real people. This requires time with approvals through IRB and extended beyond the end of the fall term.

Describe what you did during the internship.

This fall, I worked independently on developing a new algorithm that can measure energy expenditure (calories burned) during zero-g exercise.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?

I made good progress on the research. I knew that it was something that 3 months wasn’t enough to complete, so I’m proud of the progress we made and look forward to seeing how it develops in the future!

Describe positive lessons learned.

I learned a lot about the research process, what it’s like to be my own PI, and how to talk about research with people who might not understand all the mechanics.

Describe negative lessons learned.

I had exposure to what a virtual internship is like, and it wasn’t the best experience. I was able to make excellent progress on my work, sure – but the “NASA intern experience” was lacking simply from not being on-site by all the cool stuff!

What impact did this internship have on you?

This is my first formalized research experience, and it’s had such a great impact so far on my appreciation for the scientific process! Nothing like this has been done before and it is fascinating to be on the cutting edge of new developments in such a great field.

Evan Kluch – Ames Research Center

What were the final goals of your project?

My main project was testing the capabilities of using a FDM 3D printer for small-scale rotor blade creation.

Describe what you did during the internship.

To test the printer, I created a family of various thickness rotor blades based on different NACA airfoil characterizations and then printed two of each, one with a carbon fiber spar and one without. each blade was then tested for its chord-wise accuracy and structurally tested using a cantilever beam test.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?

Once the tests were conducted, I was able to determine some specific failures of the printer as well as best practices for printing rotor blades in the future. I was able to determine “EI” values for each blade and therefore characterized the structural abilities of the printer and materials.

Describe positive lessons learned.

There were many very positive lessons I learned throughout this internship. First and foremost I learned the motivation and joy that comes from a positive work environment such as the aeromechanics branch at NASA Ames! I learned how positive the impact is on reaching young kids. I learned what it means to be an employee not only for the government but industry-wide. I learned more about myself and my future aspirations. These are only a few of the many many lessons I learned at my internship, but it’s from this internship and the lessons I learned there that will lead me to the job I hope to have in the future!

Describe negative lessons learned.

I had to think long and hard about this question and the negative things I might have encountered during my internship, and the only thing that can come to mind is the impact a mission statement has on an organization. let me explain. At my old internship, the goal was to create a good product to sell, not a bad goal, but while working with NASA the goal was to better humanity through innovation, a much better goal. This is where I learned that the world operates often out of selfish desire and therefore it led me to think about the position I hope to be in one day.

Maxwell Hammond – Langley Research Center

Final Goals of your Project/s:

The primary goal of my project was to develop a simulation framework for continuum/soft robotics in Gazebo (which only supports rigid dynamics).

Describe what you did during the internship:

During my internship, I developed a Gazebo/ROS2 framework for the simulation of continuum systems in Gazebo, and I developed a numerical method for solving the set of nonlinear PDEs that make up the Cosserat rod model. This model captures all relevant modes of deformation for continuum/soft systems that are suitably slender. I implemented the numerical method in a Matlab ROS2 node and used it to control the behavior of a discretized Gazebo model. I also validated this numerical method against existing solvers in the literature. This established a framework for the simulation of continuum/soft systems in Gazebo with an external ROS2 node acting as a dynamics solver for the system.

Did you achieve your goals? What were the results?:

I achieved most of what I set out to achieve however, there is significant room for future work. Specifically, I would like to have a real system that needs to be digitally cloned so more concrete tests can be run. The current results of the work are a generalized framework for the simulation of soft/continuum systems in Gazebo. This is novel and applicable to several ongoing projects.

Describe positive lessons learned:

Before this project, my experience with Gazebo and ROS was limited. I now have a baseline understanding of the capabilities of these tools and a level of comfort to approach tasks leveraging them in the future.

Describe negative lessons learned:

Bureaucratic tasks within government agencies (while important) delay progress and are often frustrating.

Nicholas Saltamachio – Langley Research Center

What are the current goals of your project?

The second half of the internship is going to be a lot of material fabrication and testing. Once the material sample has been manufactured and created by the shop technicians, my team will do the fatigue testing, tensile / compressive testing, temperature testing, and a wide range of mechanical and thermal testing to ensure the material is capable to withstand application criteria of extremely low temperature and a variety of loading.

What accomplishments has your project made so far?

At the start of my internship, I began by diving into fundamental knowledge on the use of composite materials in aerospace applications for space vehicles, and why they are beneficial compared to metals and other materials specifically for the design of the cryotank. NASA Langley is testing the use of thermoplastic materials compared to previous metallic designs on the cryotank that stores liquid propellants at very low temperatures, so gaining fundamental knowledge on the materials is important. I then started to get trained on testing / analysis methods for these materials including TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) & DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry) in order to evaluate the material properties, as well as general mechanical, thermal, and chemical testing / analysis methods that will also be used.

What impact has this internship had so far?

So far, this internship has given me a different perspective on how research is done at the highest level, and how companies like NASA go about testing ideas and projects that haven’t been done at any other period of time. Due to the nature of the company’s mission of trying to improve spaceflight and space travel, it has shown me that there are many possibilities for a career down the road where I can directly improve that overall goal for my full-time career upon graduation.