AUTOMATION OF SPACE MATERIALS CONTAMINATION MEASUREMENT

摘要

Measurement of contamination and outgassing of materials used for space flight is conducted at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in the 1238 Thermal Vacuum Chamber. Implementation of an automated control system was initiated to improve the operation of the chamber and to increase the dependability, accuracy, and repeatability of results, and provide the ability to automate standard operating procedures. The fundamental challenge was to provide as much automation as possible while accommodating the necessity of human intervention and adhering to established operating procedures and stringent requirements. The control scenario for automation incorporated a distributed I/O control system and the creation of a graphical user interface (GUI). Manual operation though the GUI was enabled, as well as an automated sequence that assured a rigid sequential procedure when activated. After implementing the distributed I/O control system and customizing the GUI for desired operation, the operation of the 1238 Chamber was greatly enhanced. Initial tests indicated the 1238 Chamber would provide much greater reliability and ease of operation for future contamination testing at MSFC.