# Presentation: 796708

## Internet Teleoperations and Collaboration Tools

- The TeleOPerations System (TOPSTM) uses commercial personal computers and Web-based communications to remotely control and monitor systems.  TOPS provides commanding and telemetry distribution/display via Internet Protocol-based communications and Web browsers.  A generic, configurable approach supports a large number of applications.  A unique advantage of TOPS is that displays can be developed by non-programmers utilizing a visual display editor.

**INNOVATION**

***AZ Technology, Inc.***
***Huntsville, AL***

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**GOVERNMENT/SCIENCE APPLICATIONS**
- Ideally suited for International Space Station remote payload operations and telescience.
- TOPS first sale was in July 1998 to Naval Research Lab CATCH experiment for remote control of ground laboratory experiment.
- TOPS will be available for purchase by International Space Station experiments in third quarter 2000 via Scientific and Engineering Workstation Procurement (SEWP) contract as a third-party add-on to the Telescience Resource Kit (TReK)
- Estimated savings per Space Station experiment for development of remote telescience workstation software is $10,000 to $50,000.  Applicable to several hundred Space Station experiments over next decade.
- Additional related contracts:  NASA Phase III contracts for Space Station remote operations tools development and test support, $230,000.  Space Station Internet Voice Distribution System contract pending, $975,000.

- Marshall Space Flight Center
- Date; Success Story #

**Internet Teleoperations and Collaboration Tools**

**ACCOMPLISHMENTS**
- TOPS initially demonstrated in Fall 1997 on NASA Space Shuttle STS-87 U.S. Microgravity Payloads 4 mission.  Monitored crystal growth furnace operation for 11 days from NASA Center, contractor, and residential sites
- Key Features: easy access at remote sites to payload telemetry via the Internet/Intranet; easy to install and configure; cost-effective (utilizes standard COTS hardware and software).  TOPS Client and Server written in Java to provide portability.
**COMMERCIALIZATION**
- TOPS and related collaboration tools are being developed to support Internet-based distance learning and education/public outreach involving “live” Web applications/sites.
- National Science Foundation FY00 SBIR Phase I Award for remote science experiment distance learning applications, $100,000. Planned product:  Space Experiment Education KitTM.  Partners:  Durham Research and University of Alabama-Birmingham.
- Learning Technologies Project FY00 award to develop data, conferencing, and video tools for education and public outreach, $50,000. Planned services:  Live from Space Station® .
- AZ Technology Internet-based collaboration tools business segment created to develop and market distance learning products and services available 2002.
- Future potential commercial applications include:  distributed workgroup business and engineering collaboration, distributed manufacturing, and home automation operations.

- Contacts: MSFC, Tom Knight; 256-544-5353
- AZ Technology, Jim Chamberlain; 256-837-9877
- 1997 Phase II; NAS9-97010

***Remote Telescience Using TOPS***