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Vehicle Upgrades: Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS)

Isometric view of Space Shuttle Discovery
Isometric view of Space Shuttle Discovery in Earth orbit with the Remote Manipulator System/Orbiter Boom Sensor System (RMS/OBSS) doing its survey work on the leading edge of the wing.

Boeing engineers have developed and built new flight hardware to mount a new 50-foot boom extension in the payload bay of the space shuttle.

The OBSS will be used with the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (RMS), or shuttle arm, as one of the new safety measures, equipping the orbiter with cameras and laser systems to inspect the shuttle's Thermal Protection System while in space. The sensor package can detect small damage in the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels or tiles.

The existing shuttle arm, located on the port sill of the orbiter' s 60-foot payload bay, will use the boom extension to reach some areas on the belly of the orbiter that the existing arm could not reach. The RMS arm will reach over and pick up the boom out of the payload bay.

Boeing engineers in Huntington Beach and Palmdale, Calif., designed and built new pedestals to support the boom for transport, latches to secure it in transit, and avionics to support the sensors. These pedestals and the boom extension are mounted on the starboard sill. Those pedestals articulate inboard so the payload doors can be closed for ascent and entry and can articulate outboard to give maximum removal space for payloads. The pedestals are very similar to the pedestals on the port side for the shuttle arm. The OBSS was a challenge because of its unique design and the short time available for design, test, certification, manufacture and installation of this new hardware in the orbiter for flight.

Computer-generated view of the bottom of the Space Shuttle Discovery in flight with Remote Manipulator System/Orbiter Booster Sensor System.
Computer-generated view of the bottom of the Space Shuttle Discovery in flight with Remote Manipulator System/Orbiter Booster Sensor System (RMS/OBSS) in one of the wing leading edge survey points.

In addition, the Boeing OBSS team developed a new upper shoulder pedestal design with boom guides and a restraint that would mount on top of the existing shoulder mechanism. This new configuration provides avionics provisions for the sensor system and a latching system to anchor the boom to the sill. The Boeing team spent considerable time performing structural loads analysis to ensure the boom would not cause any unintended side effects and that proper safety margins were maintained.

With its 50-foot boom extension and sensor package at the end, the OBSS will be used inspect for damage on-orbit to the shuttle's TPS. If needed, the OBSS will be used to assist with any repairs. If the damage is too extensive for repair, then the crew can use the ISS for up to 45 days until a rescue mission could be launched.