FTS operations

The first planned use of the Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) in the Space Station Freedom program is for the initial assembly of the station. Before the station is permanently manned, the FTS will operate out of the Shuttle bay. After initial assembly is complete, the 60-ft-long arm of the Canadian Mobile Servicing Center (MSC) will transport the FTS to the worksites. The FTS has three operating modes: dependent, transporter attached, and independent. Further details are given for each of these modes. In analyzing assembly operations, potential tasks were examined for their similarity to the six baseline FTS tasks. Operations will also include ground support for the servicer. Future tasks are being analyzed and verified by hardware performance in the lab.