Visual Problems of Space Travel (1962) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Utilizing Man's Vision in Space
Utilizing Man's Vision in Space
Pages 29-38
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 29... ...
On the positive side, we can mention his wide versatility as a sensing system, his computing and judgment ability, and his adaptive optimalizing servo characteristics. Finally, we could mention the regenerative or self-repairing characteristics of man in which, after rest and food, the body and mind are fitted again for another period." Some of the possible situations are now examined in which man's vision may be found useful, in addition to those tasks associated with maintenance and the routine monitoring of instruments.
|
From page 30... ...
The checking of these indications, however, should not involve unique or difficult visual perception tasks." "Orbit "The human eye can be assumed to possess a resolution capability of between one and ten minutes of arc for a wide range of illumination conditions. The recognition of a pattern which includes a number of identifiable characteristics may be assumed possible if distinguishing elements of the pattern subtend visual angles of ten minutes or arc or more at the eye of the observer [and the illumination and contrast conditions are satisfactory]
|
From page 31... ...
will not be a practical possibility from an orbiting satellite." "Orbital Rendezvous "[As suggested previously] a problem of considerable importance within the very near future will be that of reaching an orbital vehicle with another vehicle launched at a later time.
|
From page 32... ...
As DuBridge (1960) points out in a recent book, one should be skeptical when discussing the use of stationary platforms "anchored in apace." The nearest approach to a stationary platform rotating about the earth would be one in a 26,000-mile orbit, with a 24-hour period equal to the earth's rotational speed.
|
From page 33... ...
[Detection of Other Vehicles in Space] "External visual observations for the purpose of detecting other space vehicles or objects in space may be considered of negligible importance except in situations where contact with such vehicles or objects has been specifically planned.
|
From page 34... ...
External visual observations of the stars and planets may be of importance to check position and course as a check on the stellar guidance system which may be used. ..." The brief orbital flights and ballistic shots achieved thus far indicate that man does not lose his intellectual abilities, and that he can control and interpret displays under space flight conditions.
|
From page 35... ...
Landing from orbit about a relatively unknown planet or moon will be far more difficult than landing on the surface of the earth. It will be difficult to select appropriate landmarks when the character of the surface is relatively unknown and the relative position of available landmarks with respect to a desirable launching site are not known.
|
From page 36... ...
A dominating concern in selection of an optimum method of landing will concern economy of energy. In the final stage of a landing direct vision may be essential for a decision as to the adequacy of the landing site." Inasmuch aa the human eye cannot tell the nature of a surface by its reflected light, i.e., hard, soft, marshy, etc., it might prove of value to fire some test probes into the ground just prior to landing as a further aid in selecting an adequate site.
|
From page 37... ...
man can be utilized to tremendous advantage beyond their monitoring function. If full use of the eyes is made, it may be possible to reduce considerably the tolerances required by the numerous physical subsystems.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.