Microgravity Simulator Based on Air Levitation for Astronauts EVA Operation Training

Abstract

Because of the microgravity environment of the space and mobility restriction by pressurized spacesuit, astronaut extravehicular operation is quite different from that in the ground. For ensuring high reliability of extravehicular operations, the astronauts need to do a great deal of training in simulated environments. A 3-dof of micro-gravity operation training system is designed in the paper, and the kinematics and dynamics of the interaction between the space station system and spacesuit system were simulated. Pressure and flow velocity distributions in the air orifice and air cavity were calculated by FLUENT. Experiments on the bearing capacity characteristic were carried out. The carrying capacities of the air bearing in different air pressures were achieved. Experiments validated the simulation analysis. The research provides the basis for the development of multi-degree of freedom space microgravity ground simulation technology, provides a basis for further development and application of flotation technology as well.