European high technology for the International Space Station
Paris/Le Bourget, 01 June 2001
The International Space Station takes shape: Including "Zarya", "Unity", "Zvezda", "Destiny", frame structures and solar collectors, the station has a weight of 113 tons already. Since 31 October 2000, crews of three have been permanently working at the "construction site in space". The Space Station, 400 kilometres away from Earth and financed by 15 nations, is regarded as the most ambitious technology project ever in the history of man. Considering a total weight of about 450 tons, a size of 100 m x 80 m x 40 m and a usable interior volume of 1,200 m3, space station construction requires significant efforts: About 50 flights will be necessary to deliver the different components into space until the station and its laboratories will start operation in 2005.
Meanwhile, development and production of hardware components for the European Columbus laboratory will continue according to plan. In 1996, the European Space Agency ESA commissioned Astrium's Space Infrastructure business division with the entire development and integration of the Columbus laboratory representing Europe's principal contribution to this multinational project. Astrium will deliver Columbus at a contractually agreed fixed price of DM 1.3 billion. Through subcontracts, Astrium distributes a considerable part of this amount to partner companies and small and medium-sized companies from various sectors.
Utilising many years' experience in space laboratories
The concept of the Columbus module is based on the experience Astrium gained in the development of Spacelab since the end of the seventies. Spacelab had been in service until 1998, under US management in the end. Similar to Spacelab, the Columbus module, with a length of 6.5 metres and a diameter of 4.5 metres, will also be equipped with standardised payload racks to accommodate experiment equipment. Launch mass of Columbus will be almost 13 tons including a payload mass of 2.5 tons. The module provides sufficient space for three crewmembers to carry out their work and has a total service life of 15 years, which is consistent with the service life of the entire space station.
By using the laboratory module Columbus, scientists from many research sectors on Earth hope to achieve progress in basic research as well as in the field of applied technology projects, which could hardly be achieved under gravity conditions on Earth. One of the most important aspects in this context is the fact that materials or fluids react differently in space than in laboratories on earth. So it will be possible to merge metallic alloys which would not form an optimum compound under gravity conditions. The same applies to liquid substances which quite easily form a mixture in space but which do not on Earth. After manned space projects were mainly financed out of public funds in the initial stage, it is now the declared aim of ESA and its member countries to also win over commercial customers for working in space in the future. Columbus will provide the framework required to achieve this goal.
Data management systems for the space station
In addition to the laboratory module including all facilities required for energy supply and communications as well as the interfaces to the other station elements, Astrium will supply technologies required for operations of the entire station. These technologies comprise, for instance, the Data Management System DMS-R which is integrated into the Russian service module Zvezda. DMS-R is a highly sophisticated and extremely fault-tolerant computer system and provides attitude control for the space station. In addition, the system ensures fast and trouble-free communication between the "outpost" in space and the ground stations in Europe, Russia and the United States.
Robotic systems
In order to be able to support the astronauts in the assembly and maintenance of exterior station elements during the construction and operational phase, several remote-controlled manipulator systems will be installed at structures and modules in the years to come. One of these systems is the European Robotic Arm, ERA, for which the Astrium will supply essential systems such as end effectors and onboard computers. Another system is the Canadian robotic arm, which has already been attached to the station.
Astrium used own funds to finance the development of the free-flying, remote-controlled observation system Inspector. Integrated high-performance cameras will monitor all the station elements to thus facilitate maintenance and repair in those areas that are difficult to access. The prototype of the Inspector was successfully tested on a Mir mission in 1997. The experience gained from this mission is currently being used in the construction of the "Micros" system designed for the new space station.
Experiment facilities for scientific utilisation
Under subcontract to the US Space Administration NASA, Astrium developed the medical system LBNP (Lower Body Negative Pressure Device). The LBNP, known as "negative-pressure pants" was already employed on the last Spacelab mission in 1998. The system allows medical scientists to examine the regulatory processes of the human cardiovascular system and to develop new methods to minimise disturbance of the astronauts' health during long missions under microgravity conditions. The LBNP was originally developed under contract to Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR, Cologne).
Under contract to ESA and DLR, Astrium also supplies experiment facilities for use in various station modules. These facilities comprise the Materials Science Laboratory (MSL), the Modular Cultivation System (MCS), the Refrigerator Freezer System (RFR) and the Cryo Freezer Rack (CER) as well as the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) designed for handling of sensitive and toxic materials and substances. The Protein Crystallisation and Diagnostic Facility (PCDF), the Advanced Protein Crystallisation Facility (APCF), the laboratories CL (Cardiolab) and Biolab for research in the biology and life science sectors as well as the physical Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) are intended for use in the Columbus module itself.
Space station supply
Other supplies, for which Astrium is responsible, comprise the unmanned supply vehicle ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle), development and operation of the logistic pallet system ICC for the US Space Shuttle as well as participation in the development of the X-38 demonstrator of the future transportation and astronaut rescue vehicle.
Astronaut training
In addition to the development and supply of hardware components and systems, Astrium is responsible for the entire training of the astronaut team in handling the relevant facilities. For this purpose, the Space Infrastructure business division established the only full-scale mock-up of the laboratory worldwide in Bremen to give users an impression of their future workplace. Associated with this task is the development of a Columbus simulator, which will provide extensive opportunities for crew training on ground, two years before the laboratory will be put into service in space.
Astrium is a joint company of EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and BAE Systems.
Paris/Le Bourget, June 2001
Your contact:
Astrium Space Infrastructure
Mrs. Kirsten Leung
Phone: +49-421-539-5326
Fax: +49-421-539-4534
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