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number 16, march 2004 on stationhttp://www.esa.int/spaceflight The Newsletter of the Directorate of Human Spaceflight

in this issue European Initiative for Exploration foreword European Initiative for Exploration European Initiative for Exploration1 Jörg Feustel-Büechl Jörg Feustel-Büechl ESA Director of Human Spaceflight research The declaration by US President George W. Bush on ‘DELTA’ to the ISS 4 14 January of the new US Exploration Initiative will lead to a Aldo Petrivelli major change of direction in NASA’s space policy. In reaction, our Director General has established the ‘Space Exploitation foton Policy Assessment Group’ (SEPAG), with three goals: to gather Two More Fotons 6 information on the US Exploration Initiative; to assess it in the Antonio Verga light of global and European activities, particularly ESA’s various space programmes, such as Aurora; to develop a technology European response and thereby establish our own strategy. ANITA 8 SEPAG began its work with a core team of ESA and Gijsbert Tan European Commission members.The enlarged team comprises Delegations from our Member States, science aces advisers from the ESA scientific advisory boards and industry ACES 10 advisors for support in generating a consolidated European Steve Feltham et al. position.The first meeting between the core team and scientists has already taken place and it is planned to publish training the preliminary European position paper in June. Training for ATV 12 The US initiative clearly has direct implications for the Andreas Schoen et al. International Space Station. At the meeting of the ISS Multilateral Control Board (MCB) in Washington DC on future studies 12 February, Rear Admiral Craig E. Steidl, NASA’s new Associate Creating Microgravity 14 Administrator for Exploration Systems, presented NASA’s Scott Hovland & C. Readyhough current and future exploration plans.We also had the opportunity to discuss the effect on the ISS, which is an education essential element in the Exploration Initiative: it will be used Classroom in Space 16 to qualify systems and technologies to meet important Rogier Schonenborg pre-conditions for long-duration flights.We are pleased to see that such an initiative will bring stability to the Space Station gts programme – President Bush declared that the US will meet Transmitting from Space 18 its obligations in the international partnership.There are also Felix Huber & Jens Schiemann some drawbacks, especially the target of retiring the Space Shuttle fleet by about 2010, when it has completed Station msm assembly. However, because ISS operations will continue into What is MSM-G? 21 2016, we must find alternative vehicles for transporting Martin Zell payloads both up and down.The up-loading is less critical because we have the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), Directorate of Human Spaceflight Direction des Vols Habité Foreword.qxp 3/8/04 3:21 PM Page 2

foreword

Russia’s Progress ferry and Japan’s HII Transfer Vehicle (HTV). For cargo down-loading, a new capacity beyond 2010 will have to be provided, because the Shuttle is the only vehicle with major return capability. As the Orbital Space Plane will be replaced by a Crew Exploration Vehicle, which has no function as a rescue vehicle, the Russian Soyuz capsule will remain as the Station’s only rescue vehicle, as well as playing an increasingly important role in crew rotation. Another major impact of the Initiative is the reorientation of US research priorities from a very broad scientific programme towards a focused programme on bioastronautics.We have close cooperation in this area, so the reorientation will certainly affect our own programme. Some areas may receive higher priority now, while others are moved more into the background.We have started a dialogue with our NASA colleagues in order to see how we can safeguard European interests. The European Drawer Rack in the Rack Level Test Facility. Consequently, we have obtained assurances from NASA that all existing cooperative encompasses all the recent changes and the undertakings will be followed and honored. route to that end-state. In view of the Exploration Initiative and its In this respect, the Exploration Initiative is effect on the Station (no Shuttle after 2010, felt to increase the ISS Programme’s stability: permanent use of Soyuz for rescue), there will the Station is now an important precursor to inevitably be a different ‘end-state’ than NASA’s long-term objectives and strategy.This previously planned for the ISS.The Multilateral will produce a firm consolidation of ISS Control Board has tasked the Multilateral planning. By mid-year, we will have a clearer Program Planning Team to position on the overall situation. develop a new end-state configuration and a Shuttle Return to Flight and Columbus roadmap towards its We note with some regret that the Shuttle’s completion.The MCB meets Return-to-Flight (RTF) has been further again at the end of April to delayed, to March 2005, because some take stock of the situation. technical issues, such as foam shedding from By June/July we will have a the External Tank, still need to be resolved.The Heads of Agency meeting Station must therefore continue to run with a where we hope to review a permament crew of two for longer than we final configuration that expected, before returning to a crew of three when Shuttle is again operational. As far as maintaining the ISS is concerned, there is absolutely no problem.The Station is in good shape with the crew of two and, technically, it is in excellent order. The major impact for us is on Columbus.We were hoping that the projected 2-year delay of Columbus would be reduced by moving one or more assembly flights to after our launch.

on Station The European Matroshka dummy is being used to However, with the new delay, we see that we study radiation effects on spacewalkers.It was are back to the 2-year scenario: Columbus will delivered to the Station on 31 January and mounted outside during an EVA on 26 February be launched around October 2006.This is by Michael Foale (pictured with the prepared much to our regret because the module will be package) and Alexander Kaleri.(NASA/DLR) ready this summer, even allowing for the slow- 2

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down in work after the Columbia accident last the Russian system racks, that are on the critical Progress-13P arrives at the year.There is unfortunately now no alternative path but we hope they will all be delivered on Station carrying Matroshka but to wait, so we need to look at the bridging time. and supplies for André Kuipers’ mission. effort needed to maintain the teams and The next big ATV milestone is the arrival of equipment in good shape so that we can the whole spacecraft at ESTEC in April for resume Columbus activities at any time. thermal/vacuum testing.This is a major As far as the ISS assembly sequence is milestone, after which we will review the issues concerned, the Space Station Control Board is remaining before the first ATV launch, foreseen working on a revised sequence that takes into for late Spring of 2005.Work on the ATV and account the Exploration Initiative issues as well Columbus ground segments are progressing as the revised Shuttle RTF schedule.The new according to plan. assembly sequence is expected to be announced in late Spring. ESA Astronaut Missions Otherwise, Columbus is in excellent shape The Dutch-ESA ‘DELTA’ Soyuz launch with and in its final stage of integration at EADS in astronaut André Kuipers remains on schedule Bremen (D). All the payload facilities have been for 19 April (see p4 of this issue, and run through the Rack Level Test Facility (RLTF): www.spaceflight.esa.int/delta for the latest Biolab, the Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) and news). Some of André’s experiments arrived at European Physiology Modules (EPM) passed the Station aboard the with flying colours, and the European Drawer unmanned Progress ferry Rack (EDR) was the last to finish, in March. All on 31 January.The intensive the payloads will now be integrated into research programme Columbus and activated for an Integrated during his 8 days in the System Test and ground segment tests.They Station involves some will then be removed and returned to their 112 kg of experiment developers for limited refurbishment. hardware. André has a very Columbus will mark the end of its development demanding time ahead of phase by going into storage. Some 6 months him but I am sure that he before launch, it will be reactivated for system will make the investigators testing and the work required to deliver it to very happy! the Kennedy Space Center in a condition ready DELTA is the fifth for launch. European Soyuz mission to The ATV has had some problems with its the ISS.We are discussing further flights, in André Kuipers prepares for his flight software and the propulsion module. 2005, with our Russian colleagues.These would Soyuz mission to the ISS. Following agreements with the senior EADS be excellent opportunities for our astronauts to representatives, we have installed a ‘Board of continue their training and gathering flight Directors’ who will meet monthly to examine experience as essential precursors for the long- the project’s status and to take corrective duration Station flights. In addition, the actions as necessary. Nevertheless, it is pleasing European Astronaut Centre (EAC, Cologne, D) to see that an important delivery of flight continues its steady growth, with the addition software was made at the end of January, and of Station training facilities, making it an that the next batch is expected around the end important element in training international on Station of June.There are still some items, including crews for the Space Station. ■ 3

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research ‘DEL‘DELTTAA’’ ttoo thethe ISSISS The Dutch-ESA Soyuz Mission

Aldo Petrivelli Head of Payload Integration and Operation Division; European Soyuz Missions Mission Manager D/MSM,ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected]

Introduction The Experiments In April, Dutch astronaut André Kuipers will Most of André’s equipment will be carried by become the 6th ESA astronaut to board the Soyuz because Progress-13P,which docked on International Space Station.The Dutch 31 Jan, was mostly filled with Station supplies Government is not only sponsoring this ‘DELTA’ as the first ferry in 6 months. Progress did carry (Dutch Expedition for Life the scientific material for PROMISS-3,to ESA Astronaut André Kuipers will science,Technology and investigate protein crystal growth in perform a wide range of Atmospheric research) microgravity. Michael Foale is running this experiments aboard the ISS ... mission but also experiment in the Microgravity Science supporting the Glovebox (MSG) for a programme of important experiments.The month, using the DELTA experiments performed during André’s PROMISS facility left by visit will be complemented by runs during the Pedro Duque’s Spanish- long-stay Expeditions before and after.With ESA mission.Then, before these 25 experiments plus those of the André’s arrival, MSG will previous four ESA Soyuz flights, continuous be prepared for hosting European utilisation of the ISS is under way. two other experiments: ARGES to study transport processes in the plasma of high-pressure metal halide lamps; HEAT to characterise the heat SUIT will combat disorientation transfer performances of in weightlessness: small gyros a grooved heat pipe. will trigger vibrating skin pads. Other technology demonstrations are: MOT tests accelerometers in microgravity; SUIT studies the improvement in André’s awareness of his orientation and body while wearing a vibrotactile suit. André will fly with two crews in the Soyuz. As on the previous two Soyuz missions, this flight will also exchange the resident crews and the Soyuz lifeboat: André’s launch on Soyuz-TMA4 on 19 April will carry Expedition-9 commander Gennady Padalka (Russia) and

on Station flight engineer Michael Fincke (NASA). On his descent aboard Soyuz-TMA3 on 29 April, André will be accompanied by Expedition-8 commander Michael Foale (NASA) and flight engineer Alexander Kaleri (Russia). Climbing into the Soyuz simulator at Star City. 4

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André trains with the Microgravity Science Glovebox.

Education and PR DELTA is paying particular attention to educational activities. VIDEO-3 shows four basic physiology experiments; ARISS (Amateur Radio on the ISS) allows schools to talk directly with André; SEEDS (www.seedsinspace.nl) invites primary-school children to grow arugula (rocket salad) from seeds at the same time as Five experiments look at human physiology: André in space to compare the results; BUG CIRCA measures the circadian pattern of blood ENERGY and GRAPHO BOX involve University pressure and heart rate; MUSCLE studies low- students assessing microgravity influence on back pain during flight; SYMPATHO continues bacterial fuel cells, and plant growth towards research into sympathoadrenal activity; MOP light and gravity. tests if the Space Adaptation Syndrome can be Public Relations activities include TV events mimicked on ground by exposing test subjects with André, video recording and Internet links. to a rapid transition from 2 g to 1 g; ETD He will use ESA’s 3-D camera left by Pedro evaluates the orientation of the eye under Duque, and fly with a camcorder in Soyuz. different gravity conditions and examines ear- eye responses after flight. CARDIOCOG and NEUROCOG will be performed after André’s departure because of his limited time.They continue the investigations of previous missions into the cardiovascular system and cerebral functions in space. The microbiology experiment SAMPLE studies the composition of microbial communities as well as the physiology and possible adaptation of bacteria exposed for a long time to microgravity. Two new KUBIK incubators, one with a centrifuge, were developed by ESA to host five biology experiments: TUBUL studies the orientation of plant cells, the cell division and Ground Segment ‘HEARTH’will monitor André’s the direction of plant growth; KAPPA studies A new ground facility will support DELTA readaptation to gravity. the nuclear factor kB as one of the principal operations – the Erasmus Facility Responsible (TNO) regulators of inflammation and immunity; Centre, part of ESA’s programme for the Users ACTIN studies the effect of microgravity on the Support and Operation Centres.The larger structure and metabolism of actin control room, with eight consoles, hosts the microfilaments in mammalian cells, activated or ESA Mission Operation Manager and the flight not with growth factors; FLOW studies controllers who coordinate the real-time mechanotransduction in bone cells, and operations of the experiments.The smaller microgravity-related osteopenia; ICE-FIRST room, with two consoles, houses the Dutch supports different investigations using science coordinators and investigators as International C. Elegans worms. needed during their specific experiments.This Lightning & Sprite Observations continues new set-up frees the Erasmus Multimedia to look at the visible effects in the ionosphere Library from its previous flight operation connected with thunderstorms and control tasks, letting it be the active heart of earthquakes. the Erasmus User Information Centre during André’s readaptation to gravity on Earth will DELTA. be studied by HEARTH to help quantify A team comprising the Dutch Mission physiological parameters that may identify Manager, Dutch Science Coordinators and people with poor orthostatic tolerance. Dutch Project Office supported the preparation and finalisation of the experiments. It has been Further information on André Kuipers’s mission very supportive to the experiment developers can be found at: and to the ESA Mission Integration and www.spaceflight.esa.int/delta on Station Operation Team. ■ 5

on Station no. 16, march 2004 Verga.qxp 3/8/04 3:36 PM Page 2

foton TTwwoo MMororee FFototonsons Regaining Lost Ground ... and More

Antonio Verga Microgravity & Space Station Utilisation Department, D/MSM,ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email:[email protected]

Introduction Searching for a suitable alternative to the ESA recently secured two more research French IBIS biological cell incubator of missions aboard Russia’s Foton-M recoverable Foton-M1, ESA and CNES are jointly spacecraft for its microgravity and space- considering ‘Kubik’,a new type of incubator exposure experiments. Scheduled being developed for manned Soyuz missions ESA is preparing for for May 2005 and October 2006, to the Space Station.The lost IBIS experiments another two productive respectively, the Foton-M2 and could be hosted by Kubik on Foton-M3 or a Foton research missions ... Foton-M3 missions will restart the Soyuz flight. Its seat on Foton-M2 is being science and technology research taken by Favorite: Fixed Alkaline Vapour programmes that tragic events have Oxygen Reclamation In-flight Technology temporarily shelved. Experiment. Favorite will operate for 2-3 days, with an average power consumption of 300 W, ‘Under Construction’ to demonstrate an advanced closed-loop life- October 2002 saw the sad and premature end support system: an electrolysis unit for of the Foton-M1 mission, destroyed after only generating oxygen aboard manned spacecraft. 25 s in a launch failure. It was ESA’s tenth More than 20 companies in Belgium, involvement in such missions, this time Canada, Denmark,France,Germany, Italy, Russia, contributing 390 kg of payload to the first Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands have flight of an upgraded version of this venerable begun rebuilding the hardware poised to fly on spacecraft. ESA has an established practice of Foton-M2. ESA has already defined a reflying missions and experiments thwarted by verification plan with its industrial partners that system failures, so a rebuilding programme should mitigate began in 2003. failure risks and meet Similarly, the terrible loss of Shuttle delivery dates. Columbia in February 2003 forced the Agency Meanwhile, Russian to look for reflight opportunities: seven ESA prime contractor microgravity payloads were destroyed and, TsSKB in Samara are although some telemetry was retrieved, no scientific samples were delivered to their investigators. Before these losses, ESA had been planning animal research aboard a Bion spacecraft, The new FluidPac Experiment which is basically a Foton equipped with a life- Box begins to take shape. Inset: not much was left its support system for small animals.This is now predecessor after the deferred beyond 2006. Instead, following a year Foton-M1 explosion.Some of negotiations with Rosaviakosmos, the

on Station remnants of ESA’s contract for two more Foton missions was instruments were recently signed on 21 October 2003 covering 660 kg of returned to ESTEC after lengthy investigations and ESA payloads. A large part of the 385 kg cumbersome customs Foton-M2 payload are reflights from Foton-M1 procedures. (see box). 6

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ESA payloads for Foton-M2

FluidPac (ESA; 180 kg): 4 fluid physics experiments TeleSupport (ESA; 21 kg): assists FluidPac, Agat, adapted to Foton within reasonable budget SCCO, Favorite and Heatpipe. Biopan (ESA; 27 kg): 9 experiments in exobiology and time. Biobox, for investigating the effects of and radiation exposure. microgravity and space radiation on biological SCCO (ESA/CSA; 20 kg): 2 experiments on diffusion samples, and previously flown three times on effects in crude oil. Agat (DLR/ESA; 42 kg): 6 experiments on diffusion Foton and Bion, will fly with extended capacity coefficients in alloys. to include experiments from other lost Stone (ESA; 1 kg): 2 meteoritic reentry samples payloads, such as Biopack and IBIS. embedded in heatshield. Aquacells (DLR; 9 kg): biology of water Eristo is part of ESA’s Microgravity microorganisms. Application Promotion Programme, involving Autonomous (ESA; 7 kg): 3 experiments in biology academic institutions and pharmaceutical (Biofilter, Photo-II, Rado-2). Polizon (KBOM; 144 kg): 5 ESA-Russian companies, and developed in close experiments on crystal growth. cooperation with the Canadian Space Agency. Keramik (DLR; 6 kg): reentry technology experiment. Eristo uses the ‘stress-free’ conditions of Favorite (ESA; 65 kg): electrolysis technology experiment for life support. weightlessness to evaluate the effects of drugs Saysoy (ESA; 2 kg): experiment from ESA’s and growth factors on bone cells.The STS-107 education programme. experiments explored bone-growth Datalogger (ESA; 2 kg): measurement of shocks, temperature and relative humidity inside Foton. mechanisms to help develop methods for Heatpipe (CNES/ESA; 7 kg): 2 technology diagnosing, treating and preventing bone experiments on high-efficiency 2-phase cooling diseases.With a little design effort, Eristo’s crew loops. controls can be modified for automatic or pre- Total ESA Mass = 385 kg (excludes Polizon, Saysoy &Datalogger) programmed operational profiles, and for deferred remote control by already building the new spacecraft and its TeleSupport. Eristo’s launcher. Subject to further agreements with 36 kg and power Rosaviakosmos and TsSKB, an upgraded requirement of 20- accelerometer package, a part of the 40 W are within COM2PLEX apparatus from STS-107 and a Foton-M3’s student experiment from ESA’s educational capacities. programme will possibly find their places on Besides Biobox board. All the payloads need to be delivered to and Eristo, no other TsSKB before the end of 2004 for further Columbia payload integration and system-level tests with has been identified Foton-M. Moreover, because of the extensive for Foton-M3, use of the Telescience Support Unit opening the mission (TeleSupport) for remote control of FluidPac, to newcomers. A Agat, SCCO and Favorite, ESA is looking at joint study with NASA on gradient-driven Biobox, with its centrifuge at boosting the ground system by adding ESA’s fluctuations in pure liquids and blends is front left, ready for STS-107. Fairbanks station (Alaska, US) to the existing proposing the new Gradflex instrument. Its A new flight unit must be built for Foton-M3. Kiruna (S) site. Its favourable location would innovative shadowgraph diagnostic is also double the number of ground contacts with suited to investigating colloid solutions. Foton and distribute them more evenly during YES-2, ESA’s Young Engineer Satellite the day. educational project, plans to release an Foton-M features increased battery capacity inflatable capsule into a reentry trajectory via a (new lithium cells) and thermal control (double tether deployed from Foton’s battery pack. water-loop).The total available energy is about Being developed by students from 15 300 kWh, providing the experiments with an universities,YES-2 is highly rated for Foton-M3. average of 800 W.The new telemetry and It has potential for returning small packages telecommand unit increases the data flow, from the Space Station. while better attitude control should improve ESA also plans to refly two payloads from the microgravity quality to a few 10–6 g. Foton-M2, with new experiments and parameters. Biopan is attractive because of the Foton-M3 high scientific interest from the academic The payload target mass for ESA on Foton-M3 community researching into space exposure, is 275 kg.With this in mind, ESA envisages and SCCO is strongly supported by oil on Station reflying those Columbia payloads that can be companies. ■ 7

on Station no. 16, march 2004 Tan.qxp 3/8/04 3:35 PM Page 2

technology ANITANITAA Cabin Air Monitoring, the European Way

Gijsbert Tan Thermal and Environmental Control Section, Directorate of Technical & Operational Support (TOS-MCT) ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected]

Introduction Experiment Description The atmosphere of any manned spacecraft ANITA is calibrated to monitor 32 contaminants needs to be continuously monitored in order simultaneously at low parts per million (ppm) to safeguard the crew’s health. A rapid levels in the cabin atmosphere. Its fast time response by the astronauts to the release of resolution allows the trend in air quality to be harmful gaseous analysed instantaneously. It is housed in two Continuous testing of cabin air is contaminants, standard Shuttle middeck locker inserts critical for crew health ... accidental offgassing of mounted in, for example, an Express rack, and materials or controlled by a PC. malfunctions of the air revitalisation system is In its first mode, ANITA automatically essential. And the need for air monitoring monitors the local air by filling its gascell, grows with mission duration. scanning the sample and storing the data on The air quality aboard the International its PC’s hard disk.The gascell is then flushed Space Station is an increasing concern. NASA’s into the cabin and refilled for the next Volatile Organic Analyser (VOA) has failed, the measurement cycle, each taking less than Major Constituent Analyser (MCA) has lately 5min.In the semi-automatic mode, the crew shown problems and the ‘grab samples’ taken collects samples by filling gasbags at the place periodically from the cabin air cannot easily be of interest using a syringe.The gasbag is sent to Earth for analysis because of the connected to ANITA’s inlet for Shuttle’s grounding.The situation is critical, analysis. highlighted by the fact that the Soyuz-TMA2 craft returning the Expedition-7 crew and Pedro Duque to Earth in October had to carry down a last-minute passenger despite the extremely tight fit: NASA’s Solid Sorbent Air Sampler (SSAS) with a sample for analysis at the Johnson Space Center. Against this urgent background, ESA is developing the European technology demonstrator ANITA (Analysing Interferometer for Ambient Air) for trace gas monitoring. It is baselined for a 10-day mission aboard the ISS in 2005 but, in light of the Station’s need, that test may well be extended into an operational phase as an

on Station interim solution. ANITA is being developed under ESA contract by Kayser-Threde GmbH (D; prime and hardware) and SINTEF (N; gas analysis software and calibration). 8

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During measurement, the physical and models, the concentration of the individual chemical properties of the samples remain trace gases is estimated quasi-online. unchanged.The results, including identification of contaminants and their concentrations, are Mission Objectives invisible to the crew – only the ground team The main objectives of the flight experiment can access the data. are to: Once calibrated, the instrument requires no –demonstrate that FTIR trace gas monitoring further calibration gases during its operational is effective; The ANITA gasbag and lifetime. However, the calibration models may –measure in-situ trace gases that up to now sampling syringe. need modification during operation if the can be detected only offline in gas samples actual gas scenario is clearly outside the sent to Earth; predefined limits (new contaminants, different –prove that modified commercial-off-the- concentration ranges). For the 10-day test, this shelf hardware provides a sound basis for will be done after the mission. However, if the ANITA; test is extended into an operational phase, the –demonstrate the use of ANITA in a real space calibration will have to be maintained using environment; the ANITA ground model (not yet included in –identify and quantify quasi-online the programme) and uploaded to the flight simultaneously 32 gaseous air contaminants system. at low ppm levels in the ISS crew cabin atmosphere.This covers the background

Measurement Principle gases H2O, CO, CO2 and CH4 ANITA is a Fourier Transform currently measured with the Infrared (FTIR) MCA; and 28 organic or Michelson inorganic trace spectrometer contaminants,including using advanced formaldehyde, analysis software. perfluoropropane, ammonia, Within only a and three siloxanes. Bi-molecular

minute, spectra are gases such as O2,H2,N2 do not have measured in the 500- IR fingerprints so cannot be 3500 cm-1 range with a detected by this technology. resolution of 0.5 cm-1, generating 6000 data points. In January, it was The technique allows individual informally agreed organic and inorganic contaminants with NASA to in the IR spectrum to be identified launch ANITA based on their unique spectral on ESA’s fingerprints.The ‘Lambert-Beer law’ is ATV-1 in used to calculate the concentrations of the May 2005. individual contaminants.To counter possible ageing of the system, a background measurement is taken daily by reading the IR source through the gascell evacuated by the ANITA is housed in two flushing pump. Owing to the high degree of Shuttle middeck lockers. spectral overlapping for the different contaminants, combined with measurement Conclusion noise and imperfections, the identification and The ANITA flight experiment is an essential step quantification process requires advanced in demonstrating the maturity of European calibration software.The calibration work trace gas monitoring.The current need for air- includes simulations of the measurement quality monitoring aboard the ISS offers the process as well as multivariate partial least- opportunity to take that step.The wealth of square regression. By running the calibration experience gained during the ANITA mission will be fed into the development of the first For further information on ANITA: operational flight unit, ANITA II, the system that will be offered to the ISS for permanent moni- http://www.estec.esa.nl/ecls on Station toring on the basis of a barter agreement. ■ 9

on Station no. 16, march 2004 Feltham.qxp 3/8/04 3:18 PM Page 2

aces AACESCES ATime &Frequency Mission for the ISS

Steve Feltham1,Francisco Reina 2 & Giacinto Gianfiglio3 1ACES Payload Manager; 2ACES System Support Engineer; 3Head,ISS External Payloads Section 1,3D/MSM,ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected] 2Vitrociset,PO Box 916,2300 AX Leiden,The Netherlands

Introduction development and delivery of the The fact that time can be measured very flight payload.The two atomic clocks precisely – far better than any other physical are national developments: CNES is parameter – is an asset of great technological responsible for PHARAO and the importance.This is the essence Observatoire de Neuchâtel (CH) for The Atomic Clock Ensemble in of the Atomic Clock Ensemble SHM. Space is a pioneering physics in Space (ACES) mission. One experiment for the ISS... of the most exciting The ACES Payload microgravity physics ACES is a complex payload involving experiments ever conceived, ACES is accredited state-of-the-art instruments and with the highest scientific merit. subsystems.The atomic clocks are ACES will test a new generation of extremely sensitive to their microgravity cold-atom clock in space. PHARAO operating environment, so the (Projet d’Horloge Atomique par particularly harsh environment of Refroidissement d’Atomes en Orbite) and the space provides new challenges to Space Hydrogen Maser (SHM) will be the clock and payload designs. characterised and compared with each other Thermal and electromagnetic sensitivity places and national frequency standards worldwide particularly severe constraints on the payload. using a dedicated microwave link.The ultimate PHARAO uses six orthogonal laser beams to performance of PHARAO in microgravity will be cool caesium atoms to a few µK.The explored and a number of fundamental physics combination of these slow atoms and their low experiments will be performed. acceleration in microgravity allows observation times significantly longer than on Earth, Organisation providing better stability and accuracy of the ACES is an ESA project.The Payload Prime frequency. Contractor, EADS in Friedrichshafen (D), leads The SHM is a miniaturised (35 kg) Active an industrial consortium for the design, Hydrogen Maser offering extremely good medium-term frequency stability. At its heart is a single sapphire crystal resonator that dielectrically loads a microwave cavity. It will be frequency-locked to PHARAO for long-term accuracy and Time & Frequency (T&F) distribution. It will also serve as a reference clock for onboard characterisation of PHARAO. The ACES clocks are compared in orbit using

on Station a Frequency Comparison and Distribution Package (FCDP).They are also compared to terrestrial clocks using the T&F capability of the Testing a PHARAO prototype MicroWave Link (MWL) which in particular has on a parabolic aircraft flight. a low phase noise compatible with a clock 10

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Mission Objectives A number of important experiments will be performed across several scientific domains, including a demonstration of high-precision time and frequency transfer, atmospheric propagation, high-precision geodesy and global network synchronisation.The fundamental physics experiments include: ACES occupies a 1 m cube and (without the Columbus Gravitational Frequency Shift (Einstein Effect) adapter) weighs 225 kg. A source of radiation in a gravitational ACES potential appears to an observer in a will be different gravitational potential to be shifted mounted in frequency.The Einstein Effect can be outside determined with a relative uncertainty of Columbus, pointing –6 towards Earth for good 3x10 – a factor 25 improvement. access to the ground terminals distributed around the globe. Time Variation of the Fine Structure Constant The fine structure constant (α) characterises the strength of the electromagnetic interaction. According to Einstein’s Equivalence Principle, fundamental constants should not vary with time, but some modern theories predict the existence of some that do. Clocks using different atoms will be compared via ACES over time. An improvement of a factor 100/year is anticipated.

Test of Special Relativity A number of theories predict violations of special relativity. ACES is expected to improve previous limits by ACES block diagram.CS: caesium.DDS: Direct Digital Synthesis. about an order of magnitude by comparing FCDP: Frequency Comparison & Distribution Package.MWL: the space and ground clocks continuously MicroWave Link.OLS: Ultra-Stable Oscillator.XPLC: eXternal PayLoad during several Station passes. Computer. ACES Status stability of 10–16.Key design parameters take ACES is now undergoing its Payload into account errors introduced by the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), a ionosphere, troposphere, multiple paths, formal Agency review aimed at Doppler rejection, etc. confirming the baseline design.The The payload is controlled by an eXternal first level Safety Review was PayLoad Computer (XPLC). Power control and successfully passed last year. A mission distribution is by the Power Distribution Unit PDR will be held in 2004 and the (PDU). ACES will be mounted on a Columbus Payload Critical Design Review is scheduled for ACES will be mounted on a External Payload Adaptor and launched 2005. ACES will be ready for launch by 2008. Columbus External Payload attached to a dedicated carrier aboard a Space Adapter. Shuttle.The Station’s robot arm will transfer it Conclusion to nadir (Earth-pointing) position on the ACES is one of the most exciting microgravity Columbus External Payload Facility. ACES will physics experiments ever conceived and could operate in orbit for 18-36 months.The first open a new area in space missions for ultra- 6months will be dedicated to characterising precise navigation and Very-Long Baseline and evaluating the clocks and the T&F link, Interferometry (VLBI) in space and testing followed by its utilisation phase, including a General Relativity, the Equivalence Principle demonstration of T&F distribution involving and the stability of fundamental physical on Station users around the world. constants. ■ 11

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training TTrrainingaining fforor AATTVV Operating the Automated Transfer Vehicle

Andreas Schoen1,Daniel Paris2 & Evgeny Chetverikov3 1 European Astronaut Centre; 2 ESTEC; 3 RSC Energia Email: [email protected]

Introduction During the attached phase, ATV will resupply Before ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) the Station with dry cargo, water and gas. As a flies for the first time to the International Space temporary Station module, it will also be used Station, the waiting ISS crew must learn how to as a storage compartment. Before undocking, it deal with it operationally. ESA has developed will be loaded with dry and liquid waste. training facilities to focus on three major Experience from current Station activities operational areas: rendezvous shows that cargo handling and storage EAC is ready to train ISS crews and docking, the attached management are complex and important tasks, to handle ESA’s Automated phase, and emergency cases. requiring appropriate training. In addition to Transfer Vehicle ... From this Summer, ISS crews cargo-handling, the crew will also be trained to can train at the European perform ATV system monitoring during the Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne (D) to attached phase. prepare for the first ATV flight next year. The astronauts will learn to deal with As ATV docking will be fully automatic emergencies. ATV-specific situations are largely –monitored by ground controllers and the malfunctions and off-nominal operations crew – astronaut intervention will be rather during rendezvous and docking. Station limited.The crew will monitor ATV’s rendezvous ‘generic’ emergencies cover fire aboard ATV manoeuvres via the video view and laptop and rapid depressurisation during attached displays to check if it is on a safe path. If operations. necessary, they can intervene and stop (pause) the approach or command ATV into a safe, ATV Crew Training Facilities collision-avoidance orbit.This training is clearly There are two major ATV crew training facilities very important for overall Station safety. currently installed at EAC: the ATV crew trainer- light (ACT-L), a simulator developed by RSC Energia; and the combined Service Module and ATV mockups (SMMU/AMU) built by Alenia. ACT is a high- fidelity simulator for rendezvous and docking. By simulating the ATV

on Station systems, part of the SM systems and the overall rendezvous and docking The ATV Crew Trainer. process, ACT 12

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provides the crew with exactly the same –monitor the ATV information (data and video images of the telemetry; approaching vehicle) and command –play the role of a capabilities as in-flight.The first version, ACT- ground operator Light, is fully simulation-based whereas the through ATV Control final version will run the actual flight software. Centre telecommands; The astronauts use exactly the same –control the ACT-light monitoring tools (laptops and SM displays) and and CWP simulators (i.e. command console as aboard the Station.This put the simulator in assembly is known as the ATV Crew Working STANDBY, RUN, PAUSE Place (CWP).Two copies are available: one modes); installed in a classroom for training by –log all the simulation instructors and another integrated into the results, save and restore combined ATV-SM mock-up. ACT will also simulation breakpoints; support the training of monitoring tasks during –follow the ATV mission the docked phase. evolution through the SMMU/AMU is a mechanical representation onboard mission plan; The Crew Working Place in the Service Module includes the of the SM, the ATV Integrated Cargo Carrier and –inject the following failures: loss of TV monitor,ATV Control Panel the docking system. It will be used for training equipment like SIMVOL or laptop; Station and ATV onboard laptop (not in cargo operations like unloading dry cargo, guidance, navigation & control (GNC) failure; visible). water and gas transfer to the Station, and TV camera failure loading of trash into ATV.The mockup can be (complete or partial configured according to different cargo with degraded image); layouts, depending on the mission. It will also ATV onboard system be used to train the crew for ATV emergencies, failure (safety chain, such as fire. Since one CWP is installed in the video camera target, mockup, it will also allow rendezvous and visual ranging cue); ATV docking training in a flight-like environment, as GNC malfunction well as training in complex operational (trajectory out-of-safety scenarios. limits, wrong attitude); loss of radio link with ATV Crew Trainer-Light Architecture ATV. The architecture of the ATV crew trainer is The crew see the approaching shown in the nearby drawing. It consists of: ACT-Light Use in Training ATV via the Service Module –ACT-light, which simulates ATV’s onboard The training for rendezvous & docking and camera, with overlaid systems, flight-application software and undocking & departure focuses on the crew information including distance and closing speed. motion; monitoring tasks during these phases.The crew –the Crew Working Place, which simulates ISS will train to monitor and assess relative onboard systems and software, and motion. attitude, range and range-rate, as well as the status of safety systems of the approaching or The CWP simulator includes : departing ATV, to compare these values with –an Image Generation System, which their limits and – if needed – to command the provides the real-time simulation of the 3-D vehicle to halt or fly away. ACT-Light allows the ATV image seen in the ISS TV camera and instructors to define initial parameters like rendezvous display in digital format. A ‘God’s attitude, lighting conditions and vehicle eye view’ is also available for instructors. configuration. A wide variety of malfunctions –the Service Module CWP hardware consists and off-nominal situations can be inserted.This of the flight-like SIMVOL TV monitor, ATV includes malfunctions that allow rendezvous to Control Panel and ATV onboard laptop. continue (like degraded SM camera Acknowledgement performance or loss of the visual ranging cues) The authors would like to thank E. Khanina ACT-Light includes a Graphical User Interface in as well as situations that would force the crew (EAC), L. Arguello order to allow the instructor to: to abort the approach (like loss of ATV safety (ESTEC), D. Pavlov, –define the initial conditions for the equipment or approach corridor violations). All I. Orlovski and simulation; instructor or crew commands given in the V. Kojevnikov (RSC –display the ATV trajectory during the course of a training session are logged for the Energia) for their help on Station simulation; debriefing session. ■ in preparing this article. 13

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future studies DDesigningesigning thethe FFuturuturee Using the CDF for Designing Future Human Missions

Scott Hovland1 & Catherine Readyhough2 1Head of Human Systems Unit (MSM-MRH); 2Concurrent Design Unit (TOS-ACD) ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email:[email protected]; [email protected]

Introduction European exploration and permanent presence Now that European utilisation of the on the Moon: International Space Station has started, the Directorate of Human Spaceflight (MSM) is –starting with lunar orbiters during 2008- beginning to look at potential future human 2011; space goals.The ground- –continuing with rovers and sample return ESTEC’s Concurrent Design Facility breaking Concurrent missions during 2011-2015; is hosting studies into possible Design Facility (CDF) at –conducting manned missions starting in future human space missions ... ESTEC is being used to 2018, building towards a man-tended lunar assess the concepts base by 2025; rapidly and define the industrial work to be –finally, conversion to a continuously done in following studies. So far, the CDF has occupied base. studied several human missions, including Crew Transfer Vehicles and Human Missions to The Concurrent Design Facility Mars and to the Moon. The CDF allows a team of multi-disciplinary Most recently, the CDF assessed the experts to apply concurrent engineering feasibility of a human mission to the Moon methods to design space missions and related using the guidelines proposed by MSM’s systems. Since it became operational in 2000, Human Spaceflight Vision Group (HSVG).The the CDF has been used extensively for satellite proposal outlines the goals and objectives for and robotic exploration studies. Human

A manned mission to the

on Station Moon designed in the CDF. Three Ariane-5 launches are used to assemble the lunar vehicle in LEO before the crew arrives aboard Soyuz.See other caption for acronyms. 14

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missions are rather different, requiring additional disciplines such as life support.The CDF has already addressed these differences through several previous multi-element human mission studies performed under the Aurora programme.The CDF is now evolving into a tool that can produce fast and reliable results also for human missions. The CDF provides a team leader to lead the sessions.The choice of disciplines and number of specialists depend on the mission, but typically include all the conventional disciplines as well as technical risk, cost analysis and programmatics to assess feasibility from all angles. Specialists with strong backgrounds in manned spaceflight are needed to cover areas such as life support, human factors and safety. Normally, team members are chosen from ESA’s Directorate of Technical and Operational Support (D/TOS) and the customer’s own Directorate, in order to get comprehensive expertise. valuable contribution to the study.This feature Building up to a permanent The Systems Engineer is responsible for should be considered for future studies presence on the Moon. steering the system design and should wherever feasible and practical. CM = Crewed Mission; EMT = Earth to Moon therefore have a good knowledge of the Transfer;HAB= Habitation specific type of mission being studied. Each Synthesis of HSVG Study Results Module; LEO = Low Earth discipline engineer is responsible for the The HSVG study showed that at least three Orbit; LLO = Low Lunar Orbit; design of his/her subsystem using an modified Ariane-5 launches would be needed LM = Logistics Module; Integrated Design Model, which exchanges to send a crew of three to the Moon and return RM = Resource Module; RVD= rendezvous; design data with the system and other them safely.The elements would dock in Low UT = Utility Truck. subsystem models. Earth Orbit (LEO) before being sent into the lunar transfer trajectory. One option would use Study Set-Up a proven launcher such as Soyuz for the crew In order to use the CDF most effectively, it is flight into LEO, eliminating the need to man- important that the customer clearly defines the rate Ariane-5. scope of the study, the mission objectives and Two options were identified for delivering the desired end-products.The work begins cargo to the lunar surface. A single Ariane-5 with a kick-off session in the CDF,where the can place 4300 kg of payload on the Moon, but requirements are presented and agreed with a different approach is needed for the larger the team.The results of preparatory work such elements.Two launches can be used to dock a as mission analysis defining delta-V module of up to 7300 kg with a descent stage requirements for several trajectory options are in lunar orbit.This strategy is operationally also introduced at this time. more demanding but achieves a larger mass on For the HSVG study, half of the six CDF the Moon than via assembly in LEO. sessions dealt with cargo missions and half The CDF study concluded that more than 40 with crew missions.The first defined different launches would be needed to perform design options, which were later traded and demonstration missions, crew missions and the optimised until the best option was found. build-up of a 40 t lunar base. Specifically for the HSVG study, a Systems team was set up with the participation of Conclusions engineers from ESA and Industry.The on-line The ESTEC Concurrent Design Facility performs availability of Industrial expertise was a studies in a very efficient manner. Its capacity for the conceptual design of human missions is For further information on the CDF: maturing as each new study adds to the knowledge-base of the CDF and its team http://www.estec.esa.nl/pr/facilities/cdf.php3 on Station members. ■ 15

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education

Winograd hardware with illuminated samples. CClassrlassrooomom inin OrbitOrbit Student Experiments Aboard the ISS

Rogier Schonenborg ISS Utilisation Strategy and Education Office, D/MSM,ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected]

Introduction Column’.This is a tube containing water and In order to increase the interest of the young soil from an ordinary pond or lake.The bacteria generation in science and technology, ESA’s ISS normally organise themselves so that one Education Programme is providing educational colony feeds on the waste products of the material for primary and other.Via photosynthesis, they turn these The first ESA-sponsored secondary level students and waste products into oxygen, which is used by student experiments have offering university students the the other now flown on the ISS, and opportunity to build their own colony to burn more are being prepared ... experiments for the International nutrients.The Space Station. whole system The first two student experiments aboard is ‘perpetual’, the ISS were ‘Winograd’ and ‘Chondro’.The takes place in originals were destroyed in the launch a closed explosion of the unmanned Foton-M1 environment spacecraft in October 2002, but they were and does not offered reflights on the ‘Cervantes’ Spanish need any Soyuz mission to the ISS in October 2003.This input other meant meeting the strict requirements and than light. A procedures for ISS payloads, forcing the special feature complete redesign of the hardware and a is that the partial review of the scientific objectives. For organisms both experiments, the students were treated as arrange professional scientists.This not only gave them themselves in a good indication of what they can expect in predictable Student Rishi Dhir filling the Winograd their scientific careers, but is also helping ESA horizontal experiment hardware. The complete Winograd to shape its education programme through layers.The package. understanding their full capabilities. question was whether this layering is solely due to the biological cooperation or if gravity Winograd also plays a crucial role. Proposed by Four tubes were delivered to the ISS students from installed in a transparent block. Four LEDs on a the University of circuit board with a timer circuit provided light Edinburgh (UK), to the bacteria through the tubes’ transparent the experiment caps.The timer not only simulated the investigated the day/night rhythm, but also balanced the

on Station behaviour of required and available power. bacterial colonies The experiment was launched by a Progress in weightlessness cargo vehicle in August 2003 and activated by using a the ISS crew soon after docking.The 2 months ‘Winogradski in space provided ample time for the bacteria 16

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The Chondro hardware ready for installation aboard Soyuz 7S.

Chondro students Georg Keller and Vlada Stamenkovic preparing hardware for testing at the Baikonur launch site.

to organise themselves in a pattern that could Madrid students also proposed THEBAS, to be analysed using special inserts in the liquid. show the behaviour of a fluid (represented by A duplicate experiment was carried out metal spheres) in a transparent container simultaneously on the ground for comparison, oscillated on a spring-loaded pendulum. Runs with samples from the same source. were made with spheres of different sizes but always with the same total mass. Chondro Chondro was proposed by students from the And Next ... ETH University in Zurich (CH) to investigate 3-D A contest run by the Dutch Ministry of cartilage grown in weightlessness. Isolated cells Education, Culture and Science selected two can be grown in vitro under laboratory new experiments for the Delta mission of conditions on Earth, with a view to creating Dutch ESA astronaut André Kuipers in April: implants for knee joints or between vertebra. BugNRG and GraPhoBox. However, gravity-induced sedimentation seems BugNRG will to be hindering growth of the 3-D structure. investigate the effect of The students designed and built their own weightlessness on the small incubator from relatively standard efficiency of a bacterial laboratory equipment, simple electronics and fuel cell (it is predicted some custom-made components.This way, they to increase because the pursued meaningful research at an affordable bacteria are known to cost. perform better in Unlike Winograd, the Chondro experiment space). GraPhoBox will could be completed during the 10 days of test if there is Cervantes. Its duration was limited by the interaction between supply of cell nutrient and battery capacity. growth towards light and growth towards APIS and THEBAS gravity of a specific plant. Seeds will be Winners of the SUCCESS 2002 Prompted by students from the University of germinated in illuminated and non-illuminated Student Contest.From left: Madrid, the APIS video footage shot by Pedro chambers in Earth gravity and aboard the ISS. Adalberto Costessi (Univ. Trieste), Eric Belin de Duque is helping to illustrate the differences in Many studies have been conducted on this Chantemele (Université rotation of rigid bodies with contrasting mass topic but never with this integrated approach. Lyon 1) & Roberto Rusconi distributions. A Finally, Adalberto Costessi, from the (Politecnico di Milano). mechanism was University of Trieste (I) and first-prize winner of created to release a ESA’s SUCCESS 2002 Student Contest began his spinning sphere, 1-year internship at ESTEC in early 2004 to which could be build and qualify his own hardware. If possible, equipped with his experiment will fly on the STS-116 Shuttle different mass mission with Swedish ESA astronaut Christer inserts to generate Fuglesang.The experiment will shed light on stable or unstable the molecular mechanisms regulating

The spinning APIS sphere,with a on Station spinning. central mass. osteoblast physiology. ■ 17

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gts TTrransmittingansmitting frfromom SSpacpacee The Global Transmission Services Experiment

Felix M. Huber1 & Jens D.Schiemann2 1 GTS Pincipal Investigator,Steinbeis Transferzentrum Raumfahrt,Röstestr.15,D-71126 Gäufelden,Germany 2 Head of Payload Fight Operations Section,D/MSM-EPO,ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Introduction To overcome these limitations, GTS is The Global Transmission Services (GTS) transmitting a UTC time signal from the Station experiment is designed to investigate the via an external antenna with a broad antenna possibilities of transmitting a time signal from pattern.The Station’s orbit means that this the International Space Station to synchronise signal covers almost the whole globe every clocks on the ground.Time- day. It can be received at any location several GTS is the first commercial signal stations on Earth usually times daily, for 5-12 min at a time, strong experiment aboard the broadcast their information at enough for even small wristwatches. GTS also International Space Station ... long wavelengths.Watches broadcasts the Station’s current orbital synchronise themselves with position, so clocks ‘know’ their local time zone. these signals by activating their receivers Further main scientific objectives are: typically once per day or after turn-on. –to verify the performance and accuracy of a Although this scheme is efficient and simple, it time signal broadcast to Earth from low has several disadvantages: orbit under real space operational –the time signal is available only Europe- conditions; wide, within 2000 km; –to measure the signal quality and data rates –moving between countries requires different on the ground; receivers and decoders; –to measure disturbing effects such as –the recevers can lock onto the wrong time Doppler shifts, multi-path reflections, zone; shadowing and elevation effects. –the low data rate requires lengthy, good receiving conditions. Experiment Set-Up GTS essentially consists of two major elements in the Station’s Russian Zvezda module: the Electronics Unit (EU) and the Antenna Unit (AU).The EU accommodates all the elements for the experiment, signal generation and signal distribution. In addition, it provides the command and control interfaces with the Station’s Russian Segment for GTS data exchange, telemetry transfer, GTS telecommanding and data receipt from Zvezda’s systems, such as orbital data. Vladimir Dezhurov inspects the GTS Electronics Unit. A major EU element is the ultra-stable Transferzentrum Raumfahrt quartz oscillator (USO).This is the core of the developed the space local time generator, and provides an accuracy –13 on Station segment,supported by DLR, of up to 10 .If synchronised almost every orbit and is coordinating the with atomic time from the ground, GTS scientific utilisation.The ground segment main generates an onboard time-signal reference of industrial partner is Fortis unprecedented accuracy for the Station’s own Uhren GmbH. applications. GTS provides this signal to 18

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Zvezda’s systems and onboard scientific users In parallel, the EU was built and qualified, The GTS antenna unit via a pulse and frequency output. and delivered to the Station in August 2001 by installed on Zvezda’s hull. The EU generates the GTS signal on two Progress-5. It was installed in Zvezda by frequency bands (UHF and L-band) for Vladimir Dezhurov. As the first step in the test transmission to Earth by the AU.While UHF is process, the EU was powered up without the main band – and will later be used for the transmitter activation on 22 January 2002, commercial services – the L-band is needed for commanded directly by the Moscow Mission a better understanding and investigation of Control Centre. After the expected 23 s for the signal propagation and multi-path effects.The internal software to boot, the EU reported an signals are generated in real-time and allow for ‘all-nominal’ status to Zvezda’s telemetry a change of encoding via software updates in system. order to investigate various encoding Extended tests confirmed the electronics techniques. and interfaces with onboard systems were The ground receiver uses a new fully digital working properly.The GTS signal was received design for the demodulation, despreading and at the Principal Investigator station in Stuttgart decryption of the signals.They employ a non- (D) during 8-15 February 2002, while the linear pseudo-noise cryptographics spread- Station was flying in the favourable Earth- spectrum modulation that is required for pointing attitude.The encrypted signal was security applications such as car theft received and decoded during the very first protection and other systems where the passage, achieving a major milestone: the unauthorised reception of a signal must be operational use of cryptographic modulation. supressed. Another feature of this fully digital This modulation prevents the unauthorised use approach is that the receiver microchip can of signals so it is of interest to services such as operate at low power – a must for the high-precision navigation signals of Galileo. wristwatches. Testing and the First Operational Steps Experiment Development and Activation The tests showed that the hardware was The AU’s hardware development, integration operating normally. However, the strength of and test activities were completed in the signal on the ground was much lower than December 1998, and it was installed on an EVA expected.The investigation focused on the RF handrail outside Zvezda, along with the cabling and antenna. Crew measurements external GTS radio-frequency (RF) cables. using a standard multimeter excluded a broken Zvezda and the AU were launched into orbit in cable or an error in the routing.Then retesting on Station July 2000. the AU flight spare in ESTEC’s anechoic 19

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gts

chamber uncovered interference with metal –no daylight savings time information is structures simulating Zvezda’s hull. generated; Further analysis of the Stuttgart –without L-band signals, wristwatches cannot measurements showed that the current Station use the service; configuration means that the Russian Pirs –GPS is a military system and can deliberately docking node and its attached Soyuz broadcast erroneous signals if required. spacecraft is blocking the antenna’s field-of- view by more then 20%. Originally, this To minimise the computational effort and geometry was not scheduled until after the power consumption in wristwatches, GTS 2-year GTS experiments were completed. continuously transmits the local time for the Depending on the Station’s attitude and the Station’s current ground spot.The receivers ground path, the signal is now blocked for detect the moment of the closest Station almost half of the passages. approach by measuring the signal’s Doppler Having confirmed the EU is working shift.The ambiguity of a left or right passage is properly, it was decided to begin the 2 years of resolved using the rotating beam information. continuous experiments on 30 June 2003, even From these data, the receiving clock though the Station is not in its operational determines the correct time data packet for its attitude. Improving the ground hardware and current position.Via the EU’s computer, the demodulation algorithm now allows the changes in time zones, daylight savings and signals to be received on every Stuttgart pass. UTC time adjustments can be easily Two main questions remain open that might implemented through commands from the provide the final answer to the weak signal: controlling ground station. how strongly is Zvezda’s hull really influencing Compared with GPS, the Station is an ideal signal quality by multipath reflection; and is platform for instant repairs and, in comparison there a bad cable connection that cannot be with satellites, offers rapid replacement of detected by simple tests? faulty hardware via the frequent upload The data show there is extremely heavy opportunities and crew availability.This fading owing to reflection from Zvezda and approach offers simpler design solutions, which other modules. Although investigating this reduce development cost and save time. effect was a GTS objective, its severity is much The anti-theft application demands a secure stronger that anticipated.The findings are signal to receivers small enough to be important for other projects, such as ACES, integrated into car keys. Such a signal must be: using external antennas. –difficult to imitate, so that it cannot be faked The RF cabling will In order to exclude any hardware with a transmitter on the ground; be inspected with failure, the quality of the cabling still –non-repeating, so that it cannot be recorded this spectrum needs to be tested. A new commercial and replayed to simulate a true signal; analyser. handheld spectrum analyser was –fail-safe, i.e. the hardware must be qualified for flight and launched to the redundant and easy to service. Station aboard Progress-13 on 29 January 2004 to make the measurements The combination of non-linear pseudo noise (without the need for EVA) some time in spectrum signals, the large Doppler shift and the March/April. orbit information form a fingerprint that cannot be faked by car crackers on the ground. ■ GTS Applications At present, two concrete applications are foreseen: –time signals for worldwide clock synchronisation; –secure code transmission for anti-theft devices that can deactivate a stolen car and its keys. on Station GPS could also be used for clock synchronisation, but it has major drawbacks: –no local time zone information (political The first commercial hardware and/or geographical) is provided; using GTS is a desktop clock with a transparent LCD. 20

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WWhahatt isis MSM-G?MSM-G? The Utilisation Department of MSM

Martin Zell Head of Utilisation Department (MSM-G), D/MSM,ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected] Martin Zell,Head of the Utilisation Department.

Introduction materials that will increase the performance of The main responsibility of MSM-G is to act as turbines in aircraft and power plants, and the interface with scientific users and to provide better catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells. develop hardware for all levels of utilisation, An essential complement to experiments in ranging from preparatory short missions, such space is the availability of facilities for ground- as sounding rockets, to the ultimate target of based research.The division has set up and is the International Space Station (ISS).The now running a programme that enables access Department has 48 staff plus about 40 on-site to those facilities throughout Europe. support contractors, and is assisted by Marc Heppener is also Mission Scientist for technical experts from ESA’s Directorate of the series of European Soyuz Missions, and is Technical & Operational Support (TOS). Its three responsible for the definition of the scientific divisions and three offices are described below. programme. Similarly, he is Increment Scientist for ISS Increment Missions, and is currently ISS Utilisation & Promotion Division defining the ‘Interim Utilisation’ Headed by Marc Heppener, MSM-GA is the programme of 2004-2006. MSM’s Utilisation Department main interface to the scientists. It is responsible Finally, a substantial provides researchers with access for the utilisation strategy in life and physical contribution to ESA’s Aurora to space and related facilities ... sciences and therefore handles all utilisation programme is being made. In solicitations and performs the science addition to major involvement in defining evaluation and selection via external peers. Aurora’s scientific content, it is managing In order to stimulate application-oriented studies in areas such as life-support systems research aboard the ISS, the division also runs a (some to be tested in Antarctica in 2006), variety of Topical Teams, in which academic and medical and psychological aspects of human industrial researchers discuss how space can spaceflight, and definition of the scientific help to solve existing problems in research & package of the ExoMars mission of 2009. development, industrial process optimisation and medical applications. As a result of this Microgravity Facilities for Columbus and approach, it also manages some 40 External Payloads Division Microgravity Application Projects (MAPs) in MSM-GF,managed by Giuseppe Reibaldi, is which those applications are developed. More responsible for the overall development of the than 120 European companies (medical, complex ISS multi-user rack facilities, such as biotechnological, chemical, metallurgical, etc) Biolab, Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL), European are participating in these projects under their Physiology Modules (EPM) and Materials own funding.The more-than 175 fundamental Science Laboratory (MSL), working with all the research projects are monitored by MSM-GA. major prime contractors in Europe, including The division is also the Directorate’s main EADS, Alenia and OHB.The division also link to the European Commission. An exciting manages development of the hardware for the new development is the Integrated Project in experiments using these facilities. Materials Research (IMPRESS), co-funded by the The External Payloads are an important EC and including an impressive team of top additional utilisation complement aboard ISS, European scientists and industry managed by serving exobiology and physiology, technology, on Station MSM-GA.The objective is to study new space science and Earth observation users.The 21

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msm

MSM-G gathers in the division managed the Matroshka phantom that parabolic aircraft flights and sounding rocket Erasmus building at ESTEC. was recently mounted outside the Station for launches, medium-duration autonomous space radiation measurements.The EuTEF and missions with robotic capsules, and ISS SOLAR external payloads for the Shuttle 1E payloads. launch with Columbus are nearing completion, The Laboratory Support Equipment (LSE) carrying seven technology and three science section is responsible for the development of instruments, respectively. Further external four rack-level ISS facilities: the three NASA payloads under development include the barter payloads of the Microgravity Science Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES; see the Glovebox (MSG), Minus Eighty Degrees Freezer article in this issue), which is an ambitious (MELFI) and CryoSystem, plus the European fundamental physics project. Under study is a Drawer Rack (EDR) for Columbus. MSG has second generation of large external payloads been operating in Destiny for more than a year such as the Extreme Universe Space year, and MELFI is waiting for its launch to the Observatory (EUSO) and the Lobster X-ray all- Station. sky monitor.The Columbus External Payload The life sciences section focuses on Adaptor (CEPA), the essential element for physiology elements with the Muscle Atrophy attaching external payloads, was developed by Research and Exercise System (MARES), the NASA in close cooperation with the division. Percutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulator

on Station (PEMS), the Handgrip and Pinchforce Payloads Division Dynamometers (HGD/PFD) and the FlyWheel MSM-GM, headed by Werner Riesselmann, Exercise Device. MARES, PEMS and HGD/PFD leads a large palette of utilisation activities, are ESA’s contributions to NASA’s Human ranging from short-duration missions using Research Facility aboard the Station. 22

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The European Modular Cultivation System operational for sounding rocket and balloon (EMCS) will be launched late this year by the launches. In addition, he manages all Space Shuttle for installation in Destiny.The development and mission activities for first botany experiments are now being precursor experiments on the Maser,Texus and developed at NASA and in Europe. Maxus sounding rocket flights. Within the physical sciences section, the main development is the Protein Crystallisation Conclusions Diagnostics Facility (PCDF) as the maiden The Utilisation Department is pushing for a subrack payload for EDR.Various studies for steady and coordinated growth in the life and future payloads are under way.The ISS Crew physical sciences communities, both for basic Refrigerator Freezer (RFR) has been qualified, science and applied research.This will best and may be used in the future for storing exploit the Space Station opportunities, biological samples aboard the Station. especially after Europe’s Columbus module is Numerous payload elements for physical attached in 2006 and full ISS operations begin. science, biology, exobiology and technology For the interim period of 2004-2006, a experiments are provided for the Foton substantial number of experiments are being unmanned missions using recoverable prepared for all types of mission opportunities, capsules.Two more Foton missions are funded; ranging up to the current possibilities in the see the article in this issue. Space Station’s US and Russian modules. Close Future space exploration activities include cooperation with the other ISS Partners will the Mars rover and Pasteur instrument package maximise utilisation throughput, often in jointly with the Aurora team. combination with international science teams executing cooperative research. Product Assurance & Safety Office Future internal and external payloads are MSM-GQ, led by Tommaso Sgobba, is already under pre-development to satisfy new responsible for the payloads’ product scientific focal areas in fundamental physics, assurance and the safety aspects that are so materials science and animal research. important in manned spaceflight.The work Increased emphasis on future space benefits from the close link to the experts in exploration will be important to build a bridge TOS-Q. between Space Station exploitation and the The safety office was recently awarded the next steps in space. ■ authority by NASA to handle the ISS safety process for payloads, experiment units and cargo autonomously within ESA.The link with ISS payload operations means that safety Euro from Space Award engineering is also provided to the Operations Department (described in On Station #15, Dutch Space, Sapienza, Ogilvy Public Relations December 2003, pp24-25). Worldwide, Pcubed and OHB Systems are now the proud owners of three sets of European ISS Utilisation Strategy and Education Office banknotes and two sets of Euro coins that flew MSM-GS, headed by Elena Grifoni, is in charge to the International Space Station in October of the challenging new field of education.This 2002. ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight, comprises developing educational material and Jörg Feustel-Büechl and ESA astronaut activities for all levels of formal education, from Frank De Winne made the presentations in primary schools to PhD, using human December.ESA’s Euro from Space Initiative spaceflight and the Space Station as a context. invited organisations to make donations to the The education office is also helping student ISS Education Fund by bidding for the unique experiments to fly on various missions. Its sets of banknotes and coins.The money had activities are part of the ISS Education been taken to the ISS and back by Frank during Programme, complemented by the ISS his Odissea Mission; the notes were signed by Education Fund. him and carry the official mission stamp.The notes and coins were donated by the European Esrange/Andoya Special Project Office Central Bank.The five organisations have now MSM-GE, headed by Wolfgang Herfs, provides joined Contraves Space and HE Space the secretariat services to keep the Andoya Operations as funding members of the ISS on Station (Norway) and Esrange (Kiruna, Sweden) ranges Education Fund (www.esa.int/issef). 23

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On Station For a free subscription or change of address, please send an email ISSN 1562-8019 to [email protected] The Newsletter of ESA’s ESA Publications Division/SER-CP Directorate of Human Spaceflight ESTEC, Postbus 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Fax: +31 71 565-5433 This newsletter is published by ESA Publications Division. It is free to all readers interested in ESA’s manned Editor: Andrew Wilson ([email protected]) spaceflight and microgravity activities. It can also be Contributing Writer: Graham T. Biddis seen via the website at http://esapub.esrin.esa.it/ Layout: Eva Ekstrand

Dutch and Flemish the theme of ‘An astronaut and the ISS’ has to be primary school submitted.Winning classes will be invited to the children are being Space Expo in Noordwijk,The Netherlands, where given the chance to they will participate in a range of activities and the talk to Dutch-ESA live radio contact with André. astronaut André André will fly to the Kuipers when he is ISS with NASA aboard the astronaut Michael International Space Schoolchildren can talk to an astronaut Fincke and Russian Station in April 2004. in space. cosmonaut Gennadi Padalka, lifting off To interest the children in André’s ‘DELTA’ mission, from Baikonur ESA and ARISS (Amateur Radio on board ISS) have aboard a Soyuz launched the innovative Zeg het ISS educational rocket. Once at the project.The range of Station, André has a educational materials busy schedule of includes information about experiments for André (from his first wish to scientist and become an astronaut, to the students alike (see preparations for his mission), the article inside lessons on what is it like to this issue for further be an astronaut, details). weightlessness, and about the ISS.The material comes with activities and questions. More information? If you would like to Invitations were sent in January to all primary know more about the schools in The Netherlands to participate in Zeg project, visit our het ISS and the Seeds in Space experiment. As part website at of Zeg het ISS,classes can win a radio chat with www.esa.int/zeghetiss André Kuipers when he is aboard the Station.To or contact us via email enter the contest, a question, drawing or story on [email protected]