Rotation Hand Controller
The Rotation Hand Controller (RHC) provides the capability of manual control of spacecraft rotation in either direction about each axis. Also the RHC may be used for manual thrust vector control (see SPS). In the real CSM two identical Rotation Hand Controllers were provided, in Project Apollo - NASSP both are simulated simultaneously by using one joystick or Orbiter's attitude controls configured with the Launchpad Configuration Options.
RHC commands
The axes of the real RHC are the same as the axes of a joystick, so if a joystick is configured it can be used as usual. In case of Orbiter's attitude controls they are used as configured in Orbiter. Within the RHC there are three command sources per axis:
- Breakout Switches - A switch closure occurs whenever the RHC is moved 1.5° from its null position (about 12.5% of total deflection). Separate switches are provided in each axis and for each direction of rotation. These six breakout switches are used to provide: command signals to the CMC, SCS minimum impulse and acceleration commands, BMAG cage signals and proportional rate command enabling.
- Transducers -