Personal Satellite Assistant: Orbits Astronauts on Spacewalks

“The PSA is an astronaut support device designed to move and operate independently in the microgravity environment of space-based vehicles. The PSA will assist astronauts who are living and working aboard the Space Shuttle, Space Station, and during future space exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.” - NASA

1. Environmental Monitoring: The PSA patrols astronaut living quarters and laboratories and monitors oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other gas levels. The PSA can also monitor experimental data such as microgravity levels, temperature, and atmospheric pressure.
2. Communications: The PSA functions as a remote, mobile data display terminal for system and experimental data. The PSA has both communication input and output capabilities, including a microphone, speakers, camera, and flat display panel. These features allow for video and audio conferencing, as well as a wireless relay to link to hardwired communication systems.
3. Remote Operations Support: Ground Controllers are able to communicate with the PSA and maneuver the device into the desired location. Once in position, the PSA will, for example, use its on board sensors to monitor the status of experimental lab animals in holding bays or provide the Ground Controllers with remote views of mission operations.
4. Crew Worksite Support: The PSA provides astronauts work site access to such information as vehicle status and health data, mission schedule, inventory tracking, location information, and just-in-time-training support. The PSA also has the ability to provide notification updates and alarms related to system events, payload events, or mission experiments