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This paper describes the development of an innovative system for telerobotic control of dexterous manipulators and end-effectors. The system, known as the ORBITEC Telerobotic Control System (OTCS), provides control of position and interaction with the environment using the feedback of visual and tactile information to the operator. This approach allows for a simple, low-cost, and light-weight controller that may be integrated and used with various dexterous manipulators/end- effectors. During the development, key master controller components were designed, built and tested by ORBITEC. These included a unique, low cost miniature rotation sensor and tactile stimulators and arrays.

The concept of a Thermal Power Loop (TPL) for the transport of thermal power over relatively large distances is presented as an alternative to heat pipes and their derivatives. While retaining the passive nature of heat pipes, the TPL has demonstrated many performance advantages. In this paper, the TPL is compared to heat pipes, and capillary pumped loops with respect to weight, size, conservation of thermal potential, 1-g testing capability and start-up. This analysis illustrates that the development of specific thermal power loops will be highly cost effective and will result in substantial weight and cost savings for many spacecraft. Additionally, test results from a proof of feasibility demonstrator at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory are presented.