Section 10 EO C340.08 – DESCRIBE ASPECTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS)

The ISS is a large-scale project which requires international cooperation. Major contributors include the United States through National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); Canada through the Canadian Space Agency (CSA); Britain, France, Germany, and Spain through the European Space Agency (ESA); Italy through the Italian Space Agency; Japan through Tsukuba Space Centre; and Russia through Roscosmos.

Each of these contributors has been responsible for the funding and construction of the major components of the ISS.

Construction of the ISS was started in 1998 and is scheduled to be completed by 2010.

Images of the ISS and its individual modules can be viewed at the NASA website. Each of the modules described here are cylindrical in shape and are connected either to each other or to one of the nodes. Show slide of Annex AC. If a model is available, it should be used as well.

National Aeronautical and Space Administration, STS-118 Build the Station, Build the Future, NASA (p. 54)

Figure 1  Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-118) After Undocking From the ISS

Zarya

Zarya (sunrise) was the first module of the ISS to be launched. It was also the first Russian contribution. The module is used primarily for storage, though its original purpose was to provide power, communications and orientation control while waiting for the Zvezda module.

Unity

The Unity Node is a connecting passageway to living and work areas of the ISS. This was the second ISS module and the first US contribution.

Zvezda

The Zvezda Service Module serves as the cornerstone for the first habitable sections of the ISS. The module provided the early living quarters, life support, electrical power distribution, data processing, flight control system and propulsion system. Launched in July 2000, this module has already undergone updates to both hardware and software. This was the second Russian contribution to the ISS.

Harmony

The Harmony Node increases the living and workspace of the ISS by 500 cubic metres. It is a passageway between the three station science facilities (Destiny, Kibo and Columbus), and provides a platform for the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules, the transfer vehicle, the mating adaptor for the shuttle, and the Canadarm2. This was a US contribution.

Destiny

Destiny is the US laboratory attached to the ISS. Destiny’s interior is modular in design so that as mission requirements change, modules can be added or removed. At maximum capacity, Destiny is expected to hold 13 experiments focusing on human life sciences, materials research, Terran observations and commercial applications.

One feature of Destiny which has affected life on earth already is its window. From here, high quality photos and videos of earth can be taken, such as those used for BBC’s documentary productions Blue Planet and Planet Earth.

Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs)

Three MPLMs were constructed by the Italian Space Agency to assist in the transportation of materiel to and from the ISS. The modules are pressurized and are designed to be carried inside the shuttle bay during launch and recovery. Once in space, the shuttle will dock with the ISS and use its Canadarm to transfer the MPLM to a docking port on the ISS. Crew from the ISS will transfer goods to and from the MPLM. Once the transfer is complete the MPLM will return to earth onboard the shuttle.

The three MPLMs are named after famous Italians:

Kibo

A Japanese contribution, Kibo (hope) is a scientific research facility. It includes two laboratory facilities, two logistics modules, a Remote Manipulator System, and an Inter-Orbit Communication System. Experiments in Kibo focus on space medicine, biology, Terran observations, material production, biotechnology and communications research.

Columbus

Built in Germany, Columbus is the ESA’s largest contribution to the ISS. Columbus is a research laboratory which will expand the research facilities of the ISS. It is attached to the Harmony Node, as well as the Destiny and Kibo research labs. Experiments focus on life sciences, materials sciences, fluid physics, and other research in a weightless environment which cannot be conducted on earth.

Two unique aspects of Columbus include:

Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs)

In 2008, the ESA started construction on the first of at least seven ATVs. The ATV is designed to be an unpiloted cargo carrier, which will supply the ISS with liquid and dry cargo as well as gases. It has a substantially greater cargo capacity than the Russian Progress cargo carrier, which currently delivers cargo to the ISS. Its secondary duty is as a garbage scow, collecting garbage from the ISS.

The Mobile Servicing System (MSS)

The MSS is a robotic system that plays a key role in the assembly and maintenance of the ISS. It moves equipment and supplies around the exterior of the station, supports astronauts during extravehicular activity (EVA), and services instruments and modules attached to the ISS.

The MSS is composed of three parts, all contributed by Canada. They are:

The main role of the ISS is to be a research facility. Once construction of the ISS is complete, scientists from the various contributing space agencies will be able to conduct hundreds of experiments from many fields of study.

Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE)

The MISSE will test the durability of hundreds of samples ranging from lubricants to solar cell technologies. The samples are better engineered to withstand the Sun, extreme temperatures and other elements. They will be attached to the exterior of the ISS, taking them outside of the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere. By examining how the materials fare in space, researchers will be able to develop new materials for use in spacecraft as well as make materials that can last longer on Earth.

One example of where this research will be used on Earth is in exterior paint. Materials in space are subjected to more ultra-violet radiation (responsible for paint degradation) than materials on Earth. By applying the knowledge gained in these experiments, paint producers can create paint, which will last longer.

Minus Eighty Degrees Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI)

MELFI is a large freezer onboard the ISS. It uses nitrogen gas (N₂) as the freezing agent. The purpose of MELFI is to store biological and life sciences samples at controlled temperatures. These temperatures range from 10 degrees Celsius to 99 degrees below 0 Celsius. Samples may include blood, urine, or plants.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES)

SPHERES are spherical satellites the size of a bowling ball. They will be used inside the ISS to test a set of instructions which will be used by spacecraft performing autonomous rendezvous and docking manoeuvers. Three free-flying SPHERES will perform formation flying inside the cabin of the ISS. Each of these satellites is self-contained with power, propulsion, computers and navigation equipment. The results of this study will be used for satellite servicing, vehicle assembly and determining formations for spacecraft to fly.

Online Viewing of ISS Missions on NASA TV

It is possible to view the ISS missions through online streaming video at the NASA website. Most of the video is archived footage, however live footage is aired during scheduled broadcasts. NASA TV is accessible on the NASA website at http://www.nasa.gov.