NASA – MSFC, Huntsville, Alabama Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES) Operations Summary Part I/II Karen Somers EO20/ Operations Lead January 2010
Page 2 MARES Purpose and Value Purpose MARES is capable of assessing the strength of muscle groups around a single joint or complete limb by measuring and controlling the interrelation between speed and torque as a function of time. MARES will enable scientists to study the detailed effects of microgravity on the human musculoskeletal system and to evaluate countermeasures designed to mitigate its negative effects, especially muscle atrophy. Value MARES is capable of supporting measurements and exercise on seven different human joints, encompassing nine different angular movements, as well as two additional linear movements (arms and legs). ESA considers MARES to be more advanced than current ground-based medical dynamometers (devices used to measure force or torque) and a vast improvement over existing International Space Station (ISS) muscle research facilities.
Page 3 MARES Hardware The MARES Rack is ESA-built hardware being launched to orbit by NASA. The MARES hardware is made up of an adjustable chair and human restraint system, a pantograph (a robotic arm supporting the chair, used to chart the movements of the user), a direct drive motor and associated electronics, a vibration isolation frame, and a Linear Adapter that translates motor rotation into linear movements. The MARES is integrated into a single International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR), called the Human Research Facility (HRF) MARES Rack, where it can also be stowed when not in use. The Linear Adapter and Vibration Isolation Frame (VIF) are launched apart from the MARES Rack by ESA (VIF is planned to launch on 19A; Linear Adapter is not yet manifested).
Page 4 MARES Hardware Photo of uninstalled MARES Vibration Isolation Frame (VIF) Photos showing MARES ground unit in operation
Page 5 MARES Overview MARES Launches on Flight 19A in the MPLM The MARES Rack is launched and installed during 19A joint operations, and if time allows, reconfigured during the 19A flight to allow return of excess foam and rack fences. Powered MARES operations will take place no earlier than Increment 24. Participants – 19A Joint Ops: Two Operators to transfer and install MARES into its Rack location, F3. Available Shuttle Operators to remove excess stowage material. Constraints: N/A until later operations MARES in its Launch Configuration
Page 6 MARES Operations TRANSFER: Two Shuttle/ISS crewmembers will remove the MARES Rack from the MPLM during 19A Joint Ops, transfer it to Station, and install it into its permanent location in the Columbus module. OPERATIONS: If time allows, six-hours of activity (broken into shorter activities as get-ahead tasks) to remove excess stowage materials during 19A docked ops. No facility operations until after Reconfiguration and Checkout (confirm LED lights ON after power-on), which is planned after arrival of the trained 23S crew. RECONFIGURATION: Reconfiguration and Checkout activities will be described in more detail in Part II of this Ops Summary, available prior to Increment 23/24. Operational responsibility for MARES following the NASA-led Reconfiguration and Initial Checkout remains under discussion between NASA and ESA. Future operational deployed configuration
Page 7 MARES Summary The MARES Rack and VIF will be launched on 19A. The MARES Rack will be installed in Columbus during docked ops. The MARES will remain in an unpowered launch configuration on ISS with no planned operations until after NASA’s Reconfiguration and Initial Checkout (Power Verification) during Increment 23/24. Some of the launch stowage materials on the MARES Rack will be removed during 19A docked ops and returned to ground, if time allows. Reconfiguration activities will be described in the second part of this Ops Summary due out for review in March Following the MARES Reconfiguration, it is anticipated that MARES and its associated investigations will be managed by ESA. An ESA commissioning exercise is planned for increment 25/26 and an ESA investigation is being planned for future increments. Experiment contact: Neil Travis,