Spacecraft Translation Hand Controller

prusaprinters

A Translation Hand Controller (THC) is often used in combination with a joystick/RHC to control a spacecraft. Several spacecraft have used this layout, including Orion, Starliner, the Shuttle Orbiter, the Apollo LM/CM, Gemini, and Mercury.There are plenty of excellent joysticks/RHCs available for purchase for home simulators, but I couldn't find any commercially available THCs for home simulators. So I made this enclosure to operate a 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse as a THC.Note that even though 3Dconnexion mice are 6DOF devices, this enclosure mechanically restricts their motion to 3DOF, which is more in line with how an actual spacecraft THC works, with the 3DOF of the THC controlling vertical/horizontal/lateral motion, while the joystick/RHC controls pitch/roll/yaw. A real THC usually has quite a lot of travel, allowing it to be used for a range of continuous control inputs. The 3Dconnexion mice only have 2-3mm of travel, so they work better as a discrete on/off controller. It also means you can dial the deadband and the sensitivity way up to make the control inputs very sharp and discrete, like conventional WASD keyboard spacecraft controls.This model is not heavy enough to stay still on the desk, so it needs to be clamped or screwed down. The casing has a 20x100mm holes grid that allows it to be screwed into a table, and comes with a convenient slot for storing the USB receiver if using the wireless version.I have uploaded two versions, one with XYZ axis labels and one without.Recommended print settings are PLA with 20% infill and 0.25mm layer thickness. It can print supportless with the exception of the front plate. Total print time ~16 hrs on a PrusaXL.Assembly will require some hardware and a soldering iron to install the heat-set inserts. A deburring tool and small file might be needed to get a snug fit between the control stick and the housing. The full Bill of Materials for assembly is:ComponentQtyMcMaster LinkM5 Tapered Heat-Set Insert1x94180A361M5 x 25mm SH Screw1x91292A129M3 Tapered Heat-Set Insert8x94180A333M3 x 10mm FH Screw8x92125A130