About the Client
The Robotics Mission Control Centre of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is located at CSA headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec. The ground team uses this facility to plan, monitor, and control more than half of all Canadarm2 and Dextre operations unfolding aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Robotics Mission Control Centre is designed to function in the same way as NASA Mission Control in Houston. The CSA's centre features the same:
Ability to send commands
Ability to receive data from the ISS, Canadarm2, and Dextre
Voice communications systems
Video communications systems
The Project
The Robotics Mission Control Center has been operational for many years and at the time the CSA approached Sustema, the facility was going through a system upgrade. Moving from bulky computer systems to lighter and more advanced ones also meant an upgrade of the furniture in which these systems were installed. Furthermore, the previous consoles did not meet ergonomic requirements with operators complaining about the leg space and overall comfort of the control center. These factors created distraction and fatigue issues among operators. Note that CSA operators can work over 8-hour shifts monitoring and controlling multi-million dollar equipment, meaning that designing ergonomic consoles to increase their focus, comfort, and attention was of the utmost importance for Sustema. Another requirement when designing the control room floor layout was the consideration of providing operators with an optimal view of the video wall system to monitor operations.
The Solution
After a thorough supplier selection process, Sustema was selected by the CSA to design, manufacture, and install the Focus C-200 console at the Robotics Mission Control Center. Sustema was chosen as the preferred supplier due to its ability to design versatile and ergonomic consoles capable of integrating all the technology required to run the CSA operations. The consoles were custom-made to fit the space requirements of the room while giving maximum flexibility to operators to work with multiple monitors simultaneously. The line of sight for the video wall was respected to avoid operator eye fatigue.
The Result
Sustema designed and manufactured custom Focus C-200 consoles to meet the technical and ergonomic requirements of the Robotics Mission Control Center. The Focus C-200 systems enable operators to work on large worksurfaces and move freely from one station to the other for easy access to data and control systems.
Conclusion
Sustema's team of control room consultants and industrial designers took into account all the space, ergonomic, and technology requirements of the Robotics Mission Control Center to create a custom console solution. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our products and services.