Technology development in multinational space programs

Acla Astronautica Vol. 35, No. I, pp. 65-74, 1995 Elsevier Science

TECHNOLOGY

Ltd. Printed in Great Britain

DEVELOPMENT IN MULTINATIONAL SPACE PROGRAMSTS

K. H. DOETSCH and G. HART Canadian Space Agency, Space Station Program, P.O. Box 7277, 250 Durocher, Vanier, Ontario, Canada K 1L 8E3 (Received

I2 May 1993; received for publication 26 May 1994)

Abstract-Multinational space programs are established to allow the development and use of space facilities to be shared among many nations, with each focusing on aspects of particular national interest. Among the aims of multinational co-operation are the achievement of both the appropriate international underpinning for the large scale of many of the projects undertaken, and an aggregation of contributions that will enhance the significance and value of the facilities and their use beyond that which would arise from individual national developments. A major aspect of most space projects is that technology will be developed and exploited and, in multinational projects, technologies developed by one partner will be shared to some extent or other among the partners. One of the underlying principles of co-operation is to ensure that technology development is optimized and that technology transfer is considered equitable. Canada’s space activity has been founded on international co-operation since its inception. The paper addresses the ensuing technology development and transfer, and provides examples of both from manned and unmanned programs in which Canada has participated.

1.

accordingly chosen its space activities on their intrinsic merits. Sharing the development with other nationals has provided the means of participating on a broader front of activity than would otherwise have been possible. Canada has also, since the earliest days, pursued space application activity which had the potential of demonstrating economic returns. It is almost unique among nations in that it has, over considerable periods of time, exported more space related systems than the government has invested in its space programs. By focused activities, it has also strengthened the confidence of partners through development of mission critical elements such as for the Space Station and Space Shuttle, namely, the Mobile Servicing System and the Canadarm. Just as Canada has been dependent on other partners for its mission successes, so then too have the partners been dependent on Canada’s contribution not only in scientific and communciations satellites, but also in infrastructure development. With a long and rich history of international space co-operation behind it, and many co-operative projects ahead, what is Canada’s perception of technology development and transfer in international space programs? The paper addresses this important management aspect through different examples of Canadian developments in space. It also addresses technology diffusion opportunities for space activity into terrestrial markets from the point of view of the robotics area which Canada has chosen as one of its space niches.

INTRODUCTION

Canada’s space activity, as a matter of policy, has been strongly characterized by international cooperation. Mutual benefit has been derived from such partnerships because, in general, Canada’s aims and those of the selected partner have been complementary. This has been true for co-operative activities technology and infrain science, applications,

structure development since Canada’s first satellite, ALOUETTE, was launched in 1962 by the U.S. International co-operation has served well the scientific and space programmatic interests of Canada and has predominated in Canada’s space activities to date. In seeking international co-operation for its space activity, Canada looks for participation in advances of science, technology and exploration through the peaceful uses of space, in a manner that is more productive than could be achieved through autonomous efforts. It also seeks strategic international alliances and opportunities for its industry in the world marketplace. Canada, without a strong military imperative, has had to deal with the question of “Why a space program?” since the program’s inception, and has

tPaper

IAF-92-285 presented at Washington, D.C., September 1992. #Due to circumstances beyond the paper appears in print without Congress,

the 43rd Astronautical U.S.A., 28 August-5 publisher’s control, this author corrections. 65

K. H.

66 2. CANADA’S

ENTRY

INTO

DOETSCH and G. HART Table I. Civillao

SPACE

With the launch of ALOUETTE 1 in 1962, Canada became the third nation in space. During the balance of the 1960s and into the early seventies, scientific satellites of the ALOUETTE and ISIS series were the mainstay of the Canadian program. Both satellites exceeded their design life and produced considerable scientific data on conditions in the ionosphere. The successes of ALOUETTE and ISIS as both technological achievements and new sources of scientific data on the upper atmosphere provided an early impetus to Canada/U.S. co-operation in space. The telemetry, circuit packaging, thermal control and solar panel designs were very advanced for the time, helping the rapid development of engineering skills in the space programs of both countries. Access by Canada to launch and pre-launch services in the U.S. contributed greatly to the well developed financial viability of the overall projects, making the co-operative process an economical one as well as attractive for science. During the 1970s much of the focus in Canada shifted to the field of communications, with the launch of the Communication Technology Satellite, (CTS), in 1972 followed by the launch of ANIK A, B and the beginning of work on ANIK C and D. The launch of ANIK E brought to five the number of ANIK series satellites successfully put into service, a total of 10 birds. During development of the ANIK satellites, communications payloads were predominantly of Canadian design and manufacture, while structural and propulsion subsystems were most often produced in the U.S. This successful integration of specialized industrial skills from more than one country, was clearly a significant factor in the advanced technical performance and building of successive ANIK systems. In some cases, Canadian payload builders and U.S. bus suppliers were able to extend teaming arrangements to serve other programs with and outside of North America. The ANIK domestic communication satellite work gradually developed and reinforced strong international teaming arrangements in industry which served both the corporate well-being of the firms involved and the national purpose of the agencies commissioning the work, with the exchange of data, know-how and facilities being increasingly an integral part of the process of planning, development and implementation of space projects. A desire to encourage and support a tradition of excellence in scientific research and development for application in space was realized two years ago when a proposal from a consortium of universities and firms was selected by a panel of international experts as warranting support in a competition for the formation in the Federal Government Centres of Excellence program. This consortium, the Canadian Network for Space Research (CNSR), builds on the base of technical achievement from ALOUETTE 1 to

space expenditures

Government of Canada civilian space expenditure\ 5 year (19X8-1992) Space Station Remote sensing Communications Space science Other

37.3% 35.3% 9.6% x 7% 9.1%

the current CANOPUS ground based system. Their research focuses on fundamental research in such areas as the effects of space plasma on satellites and other structures, developing a better understanding of processes taking place in the middle atmosphere and in the polar environment, and more applied research areas such as spacecraft instrumentation and remote sensing technologies. Such centres of excellence make it more likely that a tradition of scientific collaboration in space technology spanning 30 years will continue. Expanding space programs of the sixties, seventies, and early eighties made such economic effects as strengthened industrial capability, and wider access to global markets an attractive, but not always essential side effect in comparison to more central objectives-such as the fulfilment of the scientific and programmatic goals of sponsoring government agencies. Today shrinking budgets and competing priorities of government require a considerably firmer commitment to both technical excellence and economic achievement than has ever been true before. Industry eventually needs access to advanced technology projects since they help to maintain competitive market strength, even while supporting the science or engineering objectives of R&D sponsors. If this technology development process is again viewed in the perspective of the ANIK systems, an incidence of commerical market strength related to the technical specialization of communication firms in the space industry can be seen. Technical skills which were first developed for experimental missions such as CTS, proved invaluable in building commerical satellites. Early ANIKs served as test-beds for new communications services. The technology base developed had direct application to commerical satellite services and thus led to the acquisition of market access early on. Space communications technologies are application oriented and market driven. After this early work in space science and communications, the Canadian Space Program was expanded to encompass Earth observation activity and, through the development of the remote manipulator system for the Space Shuttle, into the era of manned space flight. Table I gives the current distribution of government-funded space activity in Canada. 3. CANADIAN

Canada’s the Mobile

SPACE

STATION

PROGRAM

contribution to Space Station Freedom, Servicing System (MSS) will build on

Technology

development

in multinational space programs

the expertise of Canadarm, the Remote Manipulator system for SSTS. MSS will include not only a sophisticated space-based robotic system, but also ground control and simulation factilites. The program for designing, developing, operating and maintaining the Mobile Servicing System encompasses numerous activities. These include developing both advanced technologies and the space systems incorporating them, integrating and testing equipment, training flight crews to use the MSS, and providing considerable operating and logistical support throughout the 30-year operational life of the Space Station. As previously noted, the MSS program consists of both a space segment and a ground segment. Three flight elements constitute the space segment: the Mobile Servicing Centre (MSC) which includes a Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS); the MSS Maintenance Depot (MMD); the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM) and various sub-elements common to each system, such as control stations, and power and data management systems. The MMS ground segment will include an MSS operations support facility which will be concerned with the operations, maintenance, logistic and training aspects of MSS use. In addition, a separate facility will accommodate Canadian users of the Space Station, providing access to experimental data and facilitating telescience. A third aspect of the ground segment, the Manipulator Development and Simulation Facility (MDSF) will support both the design and development of the space-based manipulator systems (including future engineering enhancements) and the on-going MSS operations. The 17-m long Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) is the servicer’s robot arm, and is equipped with seven motorized joints and computerized control linked into the data management system for the station. The MSS is a critical element to the success of station operations and during construction will be available to assist in assembly tasks, as well as transportation of equipment and supplies, payload deployment and recovery and Shuttle berthing and cargo handling. Technologies needed during the development and evolution of the MSS are: automation and robotics, including artificial intelligence l large scale telerobotic systems design, management and operations l advanced control systems l remotely-controlled dextrous manipulators and tools 0 voice activated control 0 computer space vision systems l design and integration of force and tactile sensing system 0 expert systems.

l

67

Canada joined the Space Station team to assume a part of the benefits and the costs of this ambitious program. The station advances not only the quality of science and engineering for space but the art of co-operation. Large complex structural, electromechanical, informational and support systems from many suppliers and nations call for extensive validation and verification of designs, standardization of interfaces and ultimately integration and test of all systems. As part of the station infrastructure, the MSS, and particularly the Space Station robot arm, SSRMS, is near the centre of this rigorous and challenging process of development, change, adaptation and reconfiguration. The benefits to participants are extensive: development of advanced technology, science and engineering skills and infrastructure; a wide array of technology, software and materials integrated into an efficient station for experimentation; and the beginning of permanent manned presence in and the exploration of space. Technology transfer to support the engineering work needed to realize these goals is ongoing, intensive, broad based, and will undoubtedly increase, becoming part of the fabric of management. 4. STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGIES IN AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS (STEAR)

To meet the challenge posed by such advanced technology needs, the STEAR program was instituted in 1988 to encourage broad participation in the evolution of the Mobile Servicing system. Specifically, the STEAR objectives are to: identify for development advanced strategic technologies which offer potential for incorporation in the evolutionary design of the MSS support research and development of selected technologies in the private sector, until proofof-concept is demonstrated facilitate national distribution of information and enhancement of capabilities of STEAR related technologies by encouraging the collaboration and networking of industries, universities and non-profit research organizations promote commercial exploitation of the strategic technologies developed within the program by joining STEAR contractors to the MSS prime contractor/team and to government programs which support future product development and marketing ensure the regional distribution of STEAR development activities across Canada. Emphasis is placed on strategic technologies which support the technical and operational evolution of the MSS and, in particular, its capability to: . maximize the productivity of the Space Station’s resources

68

K. H. DOETSCH

. minimize the costs associated with on-going operations l minimize extra-vehicular activities by the Space Station’s flight crew . maximize the longevity of MSS materials and structures to minimize MSS maintenance requirements over its service life. 5. THE

USER DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAM

(UDP)

The User Development Program was established to develop future Canadian users of the microgravity environment on the Space Station. It emphasizes potential commerical applications and the necessary underlying science, especially in materials science and biotechnology. Purer pharmaceuticals and crystals, stronger plastics and composites, and perfect ceramic spheres are just some of the typical products which will transfer the results of Space Station program experimental research to the production of new goods and services. Contractors’ experiments are performed under reduced gravity on aircraft flights, rockets, the U.S. Shuttle and the Soviet MIR Space Station. An important role of the Canadian Space Station Program (CSSP) is to encourage and contribute to an environment conducive to technology transfer and the exploitation of program technology. This role can be characterized under the following four categories. (i) Providing strategic direction and creating a favourable climate for scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and investors to maximize the success and impact of technology development and transfer by: l supporting strategic alliances with other Canadian agencies and non-governmental research groups in areas such as subsea robotics, transportation, resource industry development and advanced manufacturing technologies l developing policies and guidelines for management of intellectual property, which will encourage the further development and use of CSSP technologies l supporting contracting approaches which encourage small contractors to participate in CSSP component programs. (ii) Acting as a technology sponsor (providing funding) and facilitating access to other funding sources by: l encouraging contract teaming arrangements among industry, universities, provincial research organizations and the NRC l supporting interchanges of R&D personnel, (iii) Providing assistance in identification of opportunities to apply CSSP technologies by: l providing information on market research and market studies for specific opportunities

and G.

HART

(iv) Facilitating technology transfer among industry, universities, government laboratories, technology centres, the investment community and potential users of CSSP technology by: . encouraging industry to adapt the technologies developed for space to non-space applications and markets by means of information dissemination, increased awareness and improved access to technology. A further aim is to examine and, if possible, improve the international technology transfer needed to maintain program operations. Where the need arises special panels, or task groups may be convened to address and remedy specific technology transfer needs involving operational urgency, management priority or the particular requirements of a defined category of information, data or documentation. 6. ECONOMIC

IMPACT

In Canada, the government’s decision to design, build and operate the Mobile Servicing System will bring significant benefits in the form of economic spin-off, including the adoption and use of technology not just in space but in a range of terrestrial applications as well. During 1989, the Hickling Corporation prepared an evaluation of the socioeconomic impact of the Canadian component of the Space Station Program to determine by what means and to what extent such economic results could be expected. The overall picture of the potential flow of technology and its economic impact from Space Station and other programs is shown in Fig. 1. Essentially, the study was to assess impacts both incremental and attributable for the program in recognition that business development results are typically generated by a combination of economic factors, rather than a single determinant. The impacts attributable to the CSSP can be divided into four categories. These categories are CSSP sponsored activities, spin-off activities, diffused technology activities and the technology driven users of new technology impacts. The CSSP sponsored activities represent the simple GDP effect or direct activity effect of spending the program allotted funds in Canada. Spin-off activities refer to the increase in business activities experienced by companies directly under contract to the CSSP as a direct result of the expertise and capabilities attained through their involvement in CSSP. Diffused technology activities are considered to be those activities which facilitate the transfer of technology developed under contract to the CSSP to any other technology producing/using company. The users of new technologies activities refer to both the development of new technologies to improve a product, and the use of that product in an application. A simple model of the relationships between technology/product generators and technology receptors in spin-off and diffusion activities is shown in

69

Technology development in multinational space programs Canadian Space Program

MSAT Astronauts ESA Cooperation Space Science Other

The Space Station Program

Japanese European

Various industrial and other socioeconomic benefits

Program Program

+ Specific economic impacts in other countries

X

t

f

Specific economic impacts in Canada:

Various economic and other benefits

- direct - spin-off - new technologies OTHER -

BENEFITS

FROM SPACE

research in space advanced technology materials processing communication & remote benefits national confidence

sensing

Overall space station benefits

STATION:

satellite

Fig. 1. The overall picture.

Fig. 2. Obviously direct spin-off activities which fall within a CSSP contractor’s marketing expertise will be effectively driven by the firm itself. Such activities produce a large percentage of the forecast economic benefits, perhaps up to US $1000 million over the time frame to 2005.

Impact analysis of a large technology-rich program like the Station shows more clearly what was already assumed or known from experience-that technology transfer both within and external to participating industry is essential to the realization of economic, as well as technical benefits of the program. Moreover,

-

,

diffused

1:%NOLOOY

1rN0'""'

Receptor 3 (users of new technology) Application in the Canadian economy Fig. 2. Generators and receptors in spin-offs and diffusion.

K. H.

70 Table MSS

2. Matrix

strategic

LMETSCH

Teleoperations & robotics

Technologies

AA

Agriculture Forestry

saw mills woodlands

Mining

HART

of sectors and strategic

technologies/identified Electrical

MSS

and G.

technologies

industry

sector impact

~___

&electronics

Automation

(processor

& operations

&communication)

systems

structure & materials

AA AA

: AA AA AA

:

: automotive other

Utilities

AA, A,

test equipment)

ifi

AA AA

Petroleum Construction Manfg.

Verificalion (automated

Potential Potential

A

AA

:

::

AA

A

A

impact. minor

impact.

since the program in question is the joint endeavour of co-operating partners with specialized roles we can go further and say that achievement of full economic potential is unlikely without technology transfer across national borders. In a review of potential applications of Space Station robotics technologies a matrix of industry sectors and strategic technologies was produced (see Table 2). In this table the major technology areas developed for the MSS have been mapped, but further studies were needed to delineate more clearly the technology packages available for technology transfer and exploitation. Examples of the general areas were automated machinery health diagnosis based on expert systems and sensors for mining, automated “cut for value” devices/systems based on vision plus Al/expert systems for forestry, remote manipulators for utilities and robotics for the automobile and manufacturing sectors. Telepresence and remote sensing are also generic technologies which offer a broad range of applications. In each of these cases, the critical process is technology transfer. In some cases, such as mining and perhaps forestry. there is an attraction based on reducing risk to human operators in a monotonous and hazardous environment and in effect, replacing such risk-prone working environments by more skilful and desirable occupations concerned with the adoption, installation, operation and maintanance of robotic systems. Such illustrations help to bring out an interesting characteristic of Space Station technology transfer, that before commercial applications can be identified and exploited, the technologies themselves have to be described and fully understood. The lateral translation of technology employed in a hazardous environment from a space to a terrestrial setting may be readily apparent. However, indications of where a space qualified technology can be adapted to commercial markets are usually not so obvious, and require systematic analysis of both the market need and the technology’s capabilities. Preliminary analysis by the Hickling Corporation of market sectors relevant to Space Station technology development showed typical examples of potential in four sectors.

6.1. Forestry Automated “cut for value” devices based on vision plus Al/expert systems are expected to add up to ten percent labour productivity to larger saw mills by 2005 and are expected to allow Canadian mills to retain their market share and revenue levels in the face of increased foreign competition. It is not expected, however, that Canada will be an important source of automated “cut for value” technology. It is expected that devices based on “resolved motion” technology will be integrated in the equipment used in the woodlands operation sector of the forestry industry. These machines should reach 20% of the market by 1995 and may achieve saturation by 2005. The economic impact of resolved motion is undefined, a situation which is further complicated by the fact that foreign manufacturers of woodland equipment are expected to increase their market share to 50% of the Canadian market. 6.2. Mining Because of the risk reduction and expected increases in productivity, rock bolting machines appear to have the potential to reduce the cost of underground rock mining in Canada by as much as one percent in the period under consideration. Automated machinery health diagnostic systems based on expert systems and sensors have the capability to reduce maintenance cost from 20% thus generating a saving of some 5% on the actual operating cost. Maintenance in open pit situations is expected to be reduced to only 3% of operating costs. Both figures are substantial but no resulting market realignments are expected as all major Canadian and foreign competitors are expected to adopt the new technology. The use of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles is expected to reduce underground mining operating costs by about I% through increased labour productivity. Estimates of the time horizon and extent of adoption are not available. 6.3. Utilities Remote manipulators for work on live low power distribution lines are expected to be available by the

Technology

development

in multinational

MSS-related space spin-offs

Table 3. kkntilkd

MSS-related terrestrial spin-offs 60%

subsystem

10%

Fig. 3. Canadian Space Station Program breakdown of forecast commercial revenues.

year 2000 with significant penetration only after 2005. It is expected that initially these robots will have a safety objective and they are therefore not expected to have a significant economic impact until after 2005 when their number and range of utilization may expand considerably. 6.4. Automotive While there are no current success stories involving use of space program developed technology, the potential for expanded use of advanced automation and robotics technology is great and the likely benefit to competitiveness is considerable. Future requirements of flexible manufacturing systems by auto makers could potentially find applications for space technology. Adaptation of space technology to uses in such (terrestrial) sectors forms the largest category of forecast commerical spinoff related to the program as shown in Fig. 3. In fact, the Canadian Space Agency encourages its contractors engaged in Space Station work to prepare inventories of technologies produced under the program, and to evaluate, with outside expertise if necessary, the potential business opportunities which pertain to their particular technology capabilities. This is an obviously important but often overlooked first step in the process-definition of the technology as a commodity of the value to be transferred. A preliminary list for MSS is shown in Table 3. The contractor (technology generator) will presumably be dealing with a recipient firm with which it has previously had few, if any, dealings. This is a situation which necessitates that the technology generator must recognize market opportunities for technology/product suppliers active in different economic sectors. Where Space Station is concerned, such accurate knowledge of the commerical potential of a technology is a normal pre-requisite to successful transfer for commercial exploitation. Unlike more technologically focused projects in communications and remote sensing, the field of terrestrial application is not well understood at the time of project definition -that is to say it is not a given factor. AA 35,1--F

space programs

MSS technologies with potential for transfer

I.

Robot Joint Control

2.

Force Moment Sensing/Accommodation Maintainable Joint for a Robot Simulation of Motion for an Articulated Joint Control Algorithm for a Human/Robot System A Bias-Free Rate Determination Algorithm Digital Implementation of a Joint Controller Collision Detection/Avoidance Software Package System Power Quality Simulation Software Package Stereo Vision System for Telerobotics Robot Position Control Coordinated Robot Control System Long-Lasting Fade Free Braking Material Fail-Safe Design Knowledge Efficient Temperature Isolation Solid Lubricants Atmosphere Engineering Carbon Composites: Materials Properties and Use in Manufacturing Planetary Gearbox Design Life-Cycle Software Management A Software Development Environment Automatic Task Planning System 1553 Avionics Systems and Sub-systems Designs

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. IO.

I I. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.

71

Motor Drive Amplifiers and Position Resolvers Collision Prediction and Avoidance (general) Graphics Modelling Tools Expert Systems in a Control Environment Decision Support System ADA and Object Oriented Programming Software Training

7. THE RMS PROGRAM In exploring space technology development and transfer the case history of the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) for the Space Shuttle Orbiter is worthy of mention. The RMS, technological forerunner of the current Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) -a major subsystem of the Mobile Servicing System -was undertaken by Canadian industry under contract to the National Research Council of Canada in 1974. A consortium of Canadian companies under the project leadership of Spar Aerospace Ltd and consisting of CAE Electronics Ltd and Dilworth, Secord, Meagher and Associates (DSMA) was established to undertake the program. The first flight of the RMS was on the third orbital test flight, successfully completed 5 years later. The RMS was designed for a IO-year, IOO-mission operational life. It comprises the manipulator arm and supporting control system and displays for orbiter aft flight deck control by an operator. With the robotic

72

K. H. DOETSCHand G. HART

system, payloads may be extracted from the cargo bay, manoeuvred to an appropriate release position and deployed. Payloads may also be captured for servicing and return to Earth. The RMS consists essentially of an anthropomorphous two-link manipulator arm which can handle a 65,000 pound mass in a zero gravity environment but cannot support its own weight on Earth. The control system and its capabilities are fundamental to design integrity but functionality is dominated by the structural characteristics of the manipulator arm. Little inherent damping exists in the structure, and stability and controllability must thus be ensured through the active damping provided in the joint control logic. One of the key elements in the design processes is that of ensuring that the control systems of the RMS, orbiter and payload do not couple into an unstable system through the excitation of structural resonances in any of these bodies. Extensive modelling and simulation of the complete system were needed during the system design and verification phases. Simulations were undertaken in both real time and non-real time. The RMS successfully met its goal as a robotic system for the Shuttle. It was a co-operative project both within Canada and also with NASA. The technical and programmatic results were due in part to effective collaboration among government agencies and their contractors. In addition to the Mobile Servicer for Space Station, three significant and commercially promising developments are related technically to this project: l

l

l

follow-on sales and improvements of RMS by Spar to NASA and ongoing interest in also applying the technology to nuclear applications, designed to remove, inspect and replace large components of CANDU reactors and to mining applications continued commercial development of simulators and various subsystems by CAE Electronics (not instituted solely due to RMS) the design and sale by Vadeko International of robotic cleaning and painting systems for rocket motors, and military aircraft, and the production of a robotic painter for railway hopper cars under contract to Canadian National Railways. Vadeko was founded by a group which had worked on the development of RMS.

The scope of Vadeko’s business development activities also included a contract from Thiokol Inc. for a large robotic system for the inspection and repair of volatile propellant surfaces for the Shuttle’s solid rocket motors. This application and a subsequent sale to NASA (ASRM facility in Mississippi) bring the evolution fo robotic technology originating with RMS/Canadarm back into use within the space program after having been developed through nonspace applications, thus completing a regenerative

cycle of development, technology transfer and market application. Benefits to NASA from the collaboration in RMS included delivery of the space arm, detailed knowledge of its design, engineering operations and support, a gain in simulation capability in robotics and benefit derived from the continuous operation of the RMS support facility. Benefits to Canada included the opportunity to develop engineering and project management skills in a major space program environment centred on robotics and simulation, the opportunity for industry to develop, apply, test and improve its capabilities and an incidence of economic and technical spin-off as noted-some of which accrued to the U.S. as well. 8. TECHNOLOGY

TRANSFER

Technology transfer in the day to day program management of Space Station and other large programs necessitates continued and comprehensive exchanges of data between partners and their contractors. This is particularly true for MSS which is responsible for a range of important tasks in support of Freedom’s construction and operation. Such a comprehensive assignment for MSS necessitates detailed technical exchanges to support design work at interfaces of MSS with other parts of the Station. The modalities of data transfer conform to the hierarchy of governing agreements but are normally authorized by the responsible technical or program managers of each partner. There is a need to receive and understand detailed documents provided by cooperative partners and their contractors so that the integrity of such design, operational and safety considerations as may pertain, is maintained as the program evolves. Perforce, this information cannot and essentially need not always be protected as intellectual property, as with a patent. The number of organizations and individuals employed on the program is too great, and the linkage of responsibilities too intricate. Moreover, principles embedded in the IGA and MOU will continue to be an effective means of protecting the partner’s technical and/or operational roles on the Station-and will thus encourage the controlled but widespread use of program information by those who need to know it. There will always be a necessary balance struck between expediency and caution-a balance that is easy to find and maintain in an environment of co-operation and partnership. Fortunately, the skill with which transfer of technology has been managed is also increasing. For Space Station Freedom, an intricate network of technical panels, working groups, international design reviews and many other fora is increasingly employed by the partners. The regular exchange of technical data is of course sanctioned and mandated in the aforementioned intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding governing the joint

Technology development in multinational space programs

co-operative management of the project. In addition, more specialized and technically detailed agreements may be arranged specifically to authorize exchange of software, data or other information, for example, in robotic simulations and simulators. Relatively straightforward and easily used classification, approval and distribution procedures can be developed, with higher security of access maintained, where such constraints to distribution are needed. Where this process is efficiently managed, the dividend to program management is large. In seeking to amortize the high cost of R&D programs for space, it is clear that there is now greater pressure than ever to understand and fully exploit it-not only to husband scarce financial resources but also due to the nature of the Station, Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) and space infrastructure programs where technology is a medium of exchange. In buying a surety bond for space exploration, management of technology will decide the interest rate. Technology can be leased, bought or shared, but should not be stored under the mattress. While it is normal to describe program objectives in terms of science and technology on the one hand, and economics or social on the other, these goals are interdependent. It is doubtful that space industry can maintain high standards of technical excellence without profitability, return on investment and fiscal stability. Nor can space contractors continue to tap new markets without a reliable base of technology, both home grown and imported, from which to draw. These assumptions make it clearer that successful stewardship of our technology will support both technological and business aspects of space industrial development and is essential to both. This contention must be tempered by the effect of large long-lived space projects on the product cycle. Where the product is a Space Station, the cycle is a long one, the production run is short and the QA procedures rigorous. New management skills or greater attention to detail is

Table 4. The format THE FORMAT The Technology l a brief description of the technology so that potential investors can determine quickly if the technology fits within their own mission The Business Opportunity . a simple statement of how an investor will make money from a product, service or process generated by a technology The Produc~s/Services & Processes . a brief description of each, along strategies

with the possible

migration

The Markets . who will purchase the products, services and processes and in what quantities (approximate) over some period of time (usually five years) The Investment & Payback an indication of how capital intensive the exploitation process is likely to be, the timing and the magnitude of the payback

l

Technology Transfer Possibilities . how investors might work with the owner of the technology (licensing, sale of technology, consulting arrangements, etc.

73

now needed if system or product technology developed in space programs is to bestow added value beyond the contract for which it was created. How the technology transfer occurs depends upon the format of the technology itself, i.e. patents, documents etc. and on the form of ownership which is appropriate. Ownership can take different forms, patents, trademarks, registered industrial design, copyrights and trade secrets. These factors must all be taken into account some time during the technology transfer process but perhaps the most difficult decision is how to find technology receptor firms and how to get the attention of their decision makers. A possible descriptive format is shown in Table 4. 9. SPACE

EXPLORATION

PREPARATORY

ACTIVITIES

As regards the future, the further exploration of space by unmanned and manned means promises to be a major activity of the U.S.A., Japan and European countries over the coming 30 years. NASA is proposing the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) that includes a return to the Moon, and unmanned and manned flights to Mars, over the course of the coming 25-30 years. The Canadian Space Program has not participated in past space activities of this particular domain to date. In general terms, the U.S.A. and others associate broad social and economic benefits with planetary exploration: . the activity provides a focus for major advances in science and technology and spurs industrial capability and competitiveness . young people are challenged and stimulated to pursue careers in science and engineering . opportunity is provided for international cooperation to achieve peaceful exploration l the activity contributes greatly to a nation’s image and national pride. The CSA convened a Moon-Mars Exploration Working Group in March 1990, with the purpose of assessing the level of interest and capability in Canada in the NASA SEI. It noted that: there is a definite interest in SE1 and for planetary exploration by a significant number of groups or organizations the science aspect of planetary exploration is not well-developed in Canada, due to Canada having concentrated on Earth-related space science and applications over the past years there is a strong capability in a number of technology areas relevant to space exploration (e.g. robotics, communications) and this capability would be expected to interest potential partners in planetary exploration. As Canada does not have a well-developed background in this area, the CSA may consider the initiation of some level of preparatory activity, with

K. H.

74

DOETSCH and G. HART

a view to a later more substantial commitment, if appropriate. The objectives of a preparatory activity for space exploration would be to: l

l

expand the space science and technology base to provide for a possible Canadian role in future planetary exploration missions explore possible collaborative missions with potential international partners.

In general terms the benefits of any preparatory activities would be as follows: l

l

l

l

activities will provide focused targets for leading edge science and technology that may lead to a future major involvement in planetary science position national image-internal to Canada, and externally in other nations as the activity is new, there are good prospects for regional distribution of work the activity involves the development of international partnerships.

Immediately there are opportunities with CNES/ France, and prospects for a NASA, ESA-USA and Japanese partnership: l

l

the activities are of the type that attract and motivate young Canadians towards a science/ technology orientation there are spin-off benefits to other space applications and to the non-space sector.

SE1 offers new scope for space development partners since the size and technical complexity of Lunar exploration, for example, will require resources and expertise more extensive than any one nation could normally afford. The breadth of opportunity will derive in part from the range of exploratory activities needed. For example, robotic vehicles are a key

element of most manned and unmanned exploration missions, especially for such tasks as surface exploration and surveying, sample retrieval and transportation. Major technologies include robotics, manipulators, locomotion, sensors and navigation. Specialized technologies would pertain to the specific mission, for example Lunar mining would hybridize terrestrial mining technology with the Lunar environment and infrastructure. Collaboration and technology transfer in this setting may feature less interdependency of technical systems than the Space Station but more comprehensive interfacing of large robots or vehicles at the system level to meet interlocking functional requirements or the needs of an overall operational plan. 10. CONCLUSION

This paper has examined technology development and transfer in a changing space program environment from the more focused and single application oriented, satellite programs of the sixties and seventies to the technologically diverse programs currently underway or planned, such as Space Station and SEI. The need of efficient technology transfer integral to the long term development process has increased and, for large international programs, this requires thoughtful planning and skilful execution. Not only must technical program goals be met, but application of costly technical resources to other industrial sectors encouraged. This process not only provides economic justification for costly programs but ultimately maintains and enriches the technology itself through the demands of other users. Technology transfer and management in an international program environment should make this happen, to the benefit of the partnership, and of each partner. Clearly this aspect presents challenges to the Space Station Freedom and the Strategic Exploration Initiative if such goals are to be realized.