Space Station Operations Frank E. Hughes December 2005 Copyright 2005 Frank E. Hughes

The ISS

Introduction to the ISS The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest and most complex international scientific project in history. Led by the United States, the International Space Station draws upon the scientific and technological resources of 16 nations: Russia, Canada, Japan, 11 nations of the European Space Agency, Italy, and Brazil

Purpose of the International Space Station The purpose of the ISS is to provide: –A world-class orbiting laboratory for conducting high- value scientific research –The ability for astronauts to live and work in space for extended periods –Access for scientists to long periods of micro-gravity as early as possible in the assembly sequence –Effective international cooperation –A test bed for developing 21 st Century technology

Introduction to the ISS The completed ISS will have a mass of about 1,040,000 pounds It will measure 356 feet across and 290 feet long It will have almost an acre of solar panels to provide electrical power to up to six state-of-the- art laboratories

Introduction to the ISS The station is in an orbit with an altitude of 250 statute miles and an inclination of 51.6 degrees (angle to the equator) That orbit provides excellent Earth observations - flying over 85% of the globe and over 95% of the population By the end of 2003, about 600,000 pounds of station components had been constructed at factories around the world

Columbia Accident The loss of the Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003 stopped the construction of the ISS Many of the pieces of the ISS are too large to be launched by anything else but the Shuttle Once the Shuttle is flying again (hopefully May 2006) construction will continue

Structures & Elements of the International Space Station

Structures & Elements of the ISS There are two types of major structural elements: –Pressurized Modules and Compartments –Unpressurized Elements and Structures The ISS pressurized modules protects the crew from the space environment and provides them with a habitable area The country supplying each module is identified in parenthesis

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Functional Cargo Block (FGB) (Russia) –Also referred to as ZARYA (Russian for “Sunrise”) –The FGB was the first component launched to begin the ISS assembly process –This module was designed to provide the ISS initial propulsion and power –The 42,600 pound pressurized module was launched on a Russian Proton rocket on November 20, 1998

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Node 1 (Unity) (US) –Unity was the first U.S. built component of the ISS –Each Node is a six-sided connecting module providing docking ports for other modules and allowing a pressurized passageway between modules –Unity was delivered to the ISS by the Shuttle Endeavor in December of 1998

Unity before Launch

Unity in Orbit

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Service Module (SM) (Russia) –Also referred to as ZVEZDA (Russian for “ Star”) –The SM is the first ISS contribution fully funded and constructed by Russia –The module provides the early station living quarters, electrical power distribution and life support, data processing, communications, flight control and propulsion systems –This 42,000 pound pressurized module was launched on a Russian Proton rocket in July 11, 2000

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Destiny Laboratory (US) –Destiny is the centerpiece of the International Space Station, where unprecedented science experiments will be performed in the near-zero gravity of space –Destiny, the first of the ISS laboratories, will be used for medical, fluids, combustion, and other physical research as astronauts and cosmonauts live and work in space –The long periods of micro-gravity and high vacuum will allow the researchers to perform many experiments which are not possible on Earth –Destiny was delivered by the Space Shuttle Atlantis on February 7, 2001

Experiments in Destiny

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Joint Airlock (A/L) (US) –The Joint Airlock provides station-based Extravehicular Activity (EVA) or space walking capability using either U.S. or Russian spacesuits – Special high pressure gas tanks (two O 2 and N 2 tanks) on the airlock support space walk operations by assisting in refilling the airlock after each EVA –Both the Shuttle and Progress Cargo Vehicles are used to re-supply these gas tanks –Airlock was delivered by the Space Shuttle Atlantis on July 12, 2001

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Docking Compartment 1 (DC1) (Russia) –Also referred to as PIRS (Russian for “Pier”) –DC1 is used to provide exit and entry capabilities for Russians space walks (EVA) –It will also provide an additional docking port for Soyuz Transport Vehicles or Progress Cargo Vehicles –DC 1 was launched on a Russian Soyuz rocket on September 14, 2001

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Node 2 (US) –The second of three ISS planned connecting modules, Node 2 attaches to the forward end of the U.S. Lab –It provides attachment locations for the Japanese laboratory, European laboratory, the Centrifuge Accommodation Module and later Multipurpose Logistics Modules –Node 2 was planned to be delivered to ISS by a Space Shuttle in February 2004

Pressurized Modules and Compartments The Cupola (US) –The Cupola provides direct viewing capability for robotic operations and payload viewing –When installed on the ISS, the cupola will also provide the crew with a wonderful off-duty location to observe the Earth below –The Cupola will be delivered to ISS by a Space Shuttle at an undetermined date

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) –Also referred to as KIBO (Japanese for “Hope”) –This module provide facilities for material processing and life science research –Attached to the module is a robotic manipulator arm (Japanese Remote Manipulator System), an external science platform and a separate logistic module –JEM will be delivered to ISS by a Space Shuttle in September 2007

Pressurized Modules and Compartments European Laboratory - Columbus Module –This facility is specifically for European Space Agency (ESA) experiments and research –Columbus will operate an extensive range of experiments designed by the European scientific community –Columbus will be delivered to ISS by a Space Shuttle in February 2007

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Node 3 (US) –Node 3 provides attachment points for the U.S. Habitation Module, Crew Return Vehicle, Pressurized Mating Adapter and any future station additions –Node 3 will be delivered to ISS by a Space Shuttle at some future date

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Research Modules (RM) (Russia) –Research Modules are Russian laboratories providing experiment and research facilities –These laboratories will operate experiments proposed and designed by scientists in Russia and other countries –Delivery date to ISS is unknown

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Habitation Module (HAB) (US) –The Habitation Module will enhance crew accommodations and provide sleeping, eating, and hygiene facilities for a station crew with as many as seven members –Delivery date to ISS is unknown

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Centrifuge Accommodation Module (Japan) –The Centrifuge Accommodation Module or CAM, houses an 8.2 foot diameter centrifuge to provide artificial gravity for research activities –The CAM attaches to Node 2 –Delivery date to ISS is unknown

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Soyuz Transport Vehicle (Russia) –The Soyuz Transport Vehicle provides a rescue vehicle for crew members in case of an emergency situation on board the station –This vehicle can return up to three crew members to the ground –Soyuz replacement on the ISS takes place every six months to insure an operational rescue vehicle for the crew should they need to use it

Soyuz Vehicle

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Progress Cargo Vehicle (Russia) –The purpose of the Progress Cargo Vehicle is to deliver payloads, consumables (food, breathing gas re-supply, & other personal hygiene items) and spare equipment or replacement parts to the station –The waste from ISS is then put into the Progress and burned up upon re-entry

Pressurized Modules and Compartments Pressurized Mating Adapters (US) –There are three pressurized mating adapters (PMA) on the ISS –PMA1 is the interface between the US Segment and the Russian Segment –PMA 2 and PMA 3 serve as docking ports for the Shuttle, as well as berthing ports for the Multi Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) –PMA 2 and 3 are moved around as needed when more modules are added to ISS

Unpressurized Elements and Structures Propulsion Module (US) –The purpose of the Propulsion Module is to provide a U.S. propulsion capability to boost the ISS to a higher orbit and counteract the atmospheric drag which gradually lowers that orbit –This module augments the Russian Progress vehicles in this task since both Russian and US propulsion operations are needed to keep the ISS in the proper orbit –Date of delivery to the ISS is unknown

Unpressurized Elements and Structures Z1 Integrated Truss Structure (US) –Z1 was the first truss segment attached to ISS. –It includes power distribution components, four control moment gyros, used to control the station's attitude, communications equipment, temperature control system hardware, space walk (EVA) aids and power, and data connections. –The crew of shuttle mission STS-92 attached the Z1 Truss to the ISS on October 14, 2000.

Unpressurized Elements and Structures Science Power Platform (SPP) (Russia) –Delivery of the Russian power and control mast with four solar arrays, called the Science Power Platform, will provide additional Russian electrical power –This additional power is needed for planned scientific experiments which would follow –Delivery date to ISS is unknown

Unpressurized Elements and Structures Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) (Canada) –This robotic system plays a key role in ISS assembly and maintenance. It allows movement of equipment and supplies exterior to the station from remote controllers inside ISS –It will be used to support astronauts during EVA (space walks) and to service instruments and other payloads attached to the space station –SSRMS was delivered to ISS by the Space Shuttle in April 2001

Unpressurized Elements and Structures Truss Segments (US) –(S0, S1, S3, S4, S5, S6, P1, P3, P4, P5, P6) –S0 is the center truss portion for the space station –It is like a girder in a skyscraper holding all the pieces together where S refers to starboard (right side) and P refers to port (left side) –S1 and P1 carry large thermal radiators where heat from the US modules, JEM, and Columbus Module is rejected –S4,P4,S6, and P6 provide structural support for the solar arrays and the electrical power equipment attached to them which routes the power to the ISS modules –These truss segments also contain the radiators to keep the solar arrays and electrical equipment at the right temperatures

Onboard Computer System By the time the assembly is complete, there will be over 100 computers onboard the ISS There are 44 computers just in the American segment of the space Station and 24 others in the Canadian robotics arm Russia will have 33 computers, Japan 33 and Europe will have at least five The network to allow all of these computers talk to each other is extremely complex

Onboard Computer System Some computers monitor systems performance and alert the crew if something is out of order Other computers exchange health and status data between Space Station modules from the International Partners (IP) Several computers gather data and send it to the ground to tell the MCC what is happening on the Station

Electrical Power System Unlike the Shuttle, the ISS has no fuel cells to generate electricity The Electrical Power System (EPS) uses a series of solar arrays to gather power from the sun while Station is on the daylight side of the Earth and store that electricity in batteries which are used to supply power during the following night period The EPS has sufficient capacity to supply power through two complete night passes with no electricity being generated in the day pass between those nights The EPS must generate, store, and distribute the electricity to all of the users on the Space Station

Electrical Power System There will be four giant electrical arrays gathering power on the American side when ISS assembly is complete Each Russian module is launched with its own solar array Each large solar array wing has two photovoltaic blankets and generates 18,500 watts of power or enough for about four to six average size homes Each wing has three sets of nickel hydrogen batteries and devices to monitor and control the battery charging and discharging The US EPS supplies electric power to all of the Partner modules including that of the Russians even though they have their own solar arrays

Communications System The communications and tracking system (C&T) provides the life-line for Station to communicate all its information to the ground The purpose of the C&T is to provide: –Audio and video communications among all of the crew members on the Station –Audio, video, and file transfer communications to and from the flight controller and the scientists on the ground The C&T system uses several different modes of radio communications – S-Band, UHF, and Ku- Band

Communications System S-Band is used for transmitting audio to and from the ground (S in this case refers to a designated frequency band similar to the AM or FM bands on a car radio) UHF or Ultra High Frequency is used to transmit between EVA crewmen or from the Station to the EVA crewpersons Ku-Band is used to transfer video and high speed data from the Station to the ground through relay satellites over the equator

Thermal Control System The thermal control system (TCS) keeps the Station systems and payloads at their desired temperatures or within a desired temperature range There are two major portions to the TCS – passive thermal control and active thermal control Passive thermal control consists of coatings and reflective paint which control heating and electric heaters which are cycled on and off to keep a system at a given temperature

Thermal Control System Active thermal control uses fluids which are pumped through pipes to locations to control the temperature at that location These fluids are cooled in radiators and then pumped through heat exchangers in the locations where electronic equipment and other items must be cooled The radiators and heat exchangers perform duties not unlike the cooling system in your automobile

Environmental Control System The environmental control system provides: –A pressurized habitable environment in the Station –Drinking water and hygiene water to the crew –Fire detection and suppression for the Station The atmosphere control system maintains the cabin air at the right pressure, temperature, humidity, and at the correct composition by adding oxygen and removing waste gasses like carbon dioxide and other trace contaminants

Environmental Control System Water recovery and management collects, stores, and distributes the water for the Station for drinking and sanitation needs Early in Station assembly, waste water is collected and vented overboard This waste water is collected through urine recovery and from humidity recovered from the atmosphere Later in assembly, waste water is recycled and used again in the Russian module to generate oxygen using electrolysis of the water

Environmental Control System Fire detection and suppression includes smoke detectors in each Station module, fire extinguishers, portable breathing apparatus and alarms and detection software in the Station computers Location of a fire alarm is shown on Station computer displays Shutdown of some ventilation fans is performed to help to isolate a fire and stop the spread of smoke

Guidance, Navigation & Control System The guidance, navigation, and control system (GNC) provides the following: –Guidance (Or where do we go from here?) –State determination (Where are we and how high?) –Attitude determination (What direction are we pointed?) –Pointing (Where are certain object in the sky or on the ground?) –Translation control (How do we move in a certain direction?) –Attitude control (How do I rotate myself to point at a given target?)

Guidance, Navigation & Control System The GNC system can hold attitude using control moment gyros spinning at high speed Each of these is massive (more than 600 pounds) and its spinning motion resists movement of the Station around it This is like a child’s toy gyro which resists gravity and stands up as long as it is spinning fast enough The Station can also hold attitude using reaction jets on the Russian modules but this is avoided where possible because replacement fuel must be carried up from the Earth

Controlled Docking

Robotics Systems There will be multiple robotic arms on the Station: –The Canadian Mobile Servicing Center (57 foot arm on a mobile base) –Canadian Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (essentially a robot at the end of the large arm) –European Robotic Arm (36 foot arm mounted and used on the Russian modules) –Japanese Remote Manipulator System (one large 15 foot arm and one small 7 foot arm)

Robotics Systems Using robotics assists the crewmembers who are working outside the Station doing EVAs Robotics also allows the crew to remain inside the Station and mount or repair equipment outside These robotic arms can mount and remove equipment, set up payloads, and assist in general Station operations in many circumstances They also can apply stronger forces in certain instances than any crew person and can lift entire modules into place as necessary

Science Payloads The primary purpose of building the ISS is to do scientific investigations in orbit Access to microgravity and to the near perfect vacuum of space for extended periods of time are extremely important for these research projects Access to human researcher time in space for extended times is also critically important Major payloads are planned for space science, earth science, and life science on the Station

Extravehicular Activity Building the ISS requires many EVAs where astronauts go out side to connect all of the parts together Training for EVA means learning the space suit and also learning the systems in the two airlocks on the Station – one Russian and one American Space suits from Russia and the US will be used on ISS depending on the requirements of the EVA The US suit is called the extravehicular mobility unit or EMU and the Russian model is called Orlan-M

Extravehicular Activity The EMU allows a person to be outside for up to seven hours while the Orlan supports a person for up to five hours The joint airlock built by the US will support EVAs using either suit The joint airlock contains places to don or doff the spacesuits and also the actual crew lock where astronauts exit the Station

Crew Health Care Systems Since the crew remains on the Station for long periods of time, a crew health care system is required The health care system allows MCC to assure the health and well-being of the crews and helps to maintain their ability to do useful work An environmental health system is also included on the Station to help to ensure a clean and safe atmosphere for the crew

Crew Health Care Systems Some of the components of the health care system are: –Heart rate monitor –Blood pressure/Electrocardiogram –Treadmill (with vibration isolation to avoid interfering with science experiments) –Resistive Exercise Device (allows strength training in zero gravity environment) –Bicycle ergometer (with vibration isolation system) –Medical equipment computer to store and send data to the ground during exercise or because of any sickness that occurs

ISS Today 2005

Summary The ISS is built for at least a ten year lifetime Actual usage will exceed that limit as new scientific activities are started and new modules are invented and added to the station Only three persons will be on the station initially but that number can be increased by providing a living quarters area called a habitation module The future of the ISS is one where benefits from new research and new discoveries will help all of the people of the Earth

The Future…