number 7, december 2001 on station The Newsletter of the Directorate of Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity http://www.esa.int/export/esaHS/

2001: A Good Year - But Hard Work Lies Ahead Jörg Feustel-Büechl ESA Director of Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity

We have had a really excellent 2001 in technical terms. Since the first launch, of Zarya in November 1998, we have had 24 launches either to build up the International Space Station with new equipment and facilities, or to service it – a remarkable achievement. Indeed, there have been 12 launches in 2001 alone! Altogether, we have seen some remarkable hardware progress in the programme and – even better – there have been no major in-orbit problems. So we have created an operational Station with a permanent 3-man crew and we have already seen the first experiments (including European experiments) completed. All in all, the Station is working really well, both in terms of its technical realisation and of the international cooperation between the five Partners. Unfortunately, the rest of the picture is not so rosy.We heard from NASA earlier in 2001 of the likelihood of major cost overruns on their part. So far, overall US costs have been around $25 billion and NASA has announced increases of some $4.8 billion to take Station assembly to completion.The Bush Administration declared this to be unacceptable and initiated a review by the NASA Advisory Council.This Review, chaired by Thomas Young, was tasked to investigate what kind of management, cost and technical changes must be implemented in order to contain the costs within the original funding plan.The outcome includes a number of drastic recommendations not only in management and cost control, but also in the Station’s configuration. While we in Europe fully understand the desire of the US to get their house in order with respect to management and cost issues, we are seeing some major recommendations that ESA’s Advanced Protein Crystallisation Facility conflict with the Station’s configuration as originally agreed in was operated successfully on the Space Station the Inter-Governmental Agreement of January 1998.This has August-November 2001.See page 21 for more led to the cancellation or suspension of a number of Station information. elements. For example, the Propulsion Module has been cancelled, although that does not affect us negatively. contents:see back cover However, the activities on the Habitation Module have been Directorate of Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity Direction des Vols Habité et la Microgravité foreword

ESA astronaut Claudie suspended and this is critical for us. Haigneré with the Furthermore, work on the Crew Return Vehicle Expedition-3 crew has also halted, which hits us even more (foreground) and her Soyuz crew,October 2001.(NASA) deeply. If these recommendations were implemented, they would affect not only the US but all Partners because they lead to a Station unable to support the agreed permanent crew of seven. Instead, it offers only three residents.This has serious consequences for all Partners and would mean that the astronaut time available for working in Europe’s Columbus research module falls from 12-13 hours per week to around only 100 minutes! This has a grave impact on, for example, human physiology experiments, one of the most important research areas aboard the Station. Consequently, the utilisation of the Columbus blocking of the funding for the first period of laboratory would be seriously hampered – if the Exploitation Phase programme.The not invalidated – in that area. Exploitation Period #1 contains €965.9 million Of course, other research areas such as (2001 economic conditions), with a firm part biotechnology, material sciences and fluid of of €579.4 million for the period 2002-2004 sciences would be affected to a lesser extent, and a provisional part of €386.5 million for so Columbus would still have some value. 2005-2006. Approximately 60% of the firm Nevertheless, a permanent crew of three is part is blocked pending clarification of the overall ISS situation.This means that all urgent activities for 2002-2004 and all necessary commitments are covered.We need to return later to unblock the remainder when the situation in the US has recovered and when we know that our expectations for a fully usable Space Station can be met. In this context, the Ministers issued a resolution on the Space Station that provides a clear message to our International Partners.

on Station The first part makes it clear that Europe continues to honour its commitments, while the second declares that we expect our Partners, and particularly the US, to stick to theirs. 2- The proposal for the Commercial Utilisation Preparation (CUP) programme was also The electronics unit of ESA’s still less than half of the original plan and that influenced by the US situation and Global Transmission Services certainly produces a negative impact on us. consequently postponed for a later decision. It system has been installed in The same is true for Japan and Russia with plans to stimulate commercial activities the Zvezda Service Module to their laboratories, as well as for Canada and its aboard the Station, generating revenues that begin experiments in 2002. Holding it is Vladimir utilisation rights. will reduce the contributions required from Dezhurov,Expedition-3 flight As a consequence of these Young Report the Partners. As soon as we see that our work engineer.(NASA) recommendations, we in Europe need to with the US is returning to the agreed plan, react.The Report was published on we will resubmit the CUP programme to the 1November so it was of great concern to the Council. ESA Ministerial Conference in Edinburgh, The decision on ‘Additional ISS Flight Scotland.The ministers did not feel in a Opportunities’ for our European astronauts position to make all the decisions in the way was also postponed, but for a different reason. that we had proposed.This led to a potential The European astronaut policy is still not clear

on Station no. 7, december 2001 nSainn.7 december 2001 7, on Station no. € € Our proposal wasfor Applications (ELIPS). and Life for Programme governments andindustriesto invest in. for European attractive opportunities further Ihopethisapproval willlead to capabilities. cost I improve to goalis pointfor theseactivities.The starting (STEP) proposals inEdinburgh provides a andEvolution Preparation Studies,Technology but Iwaspersonallyhopingfor around never afullsubscription expected amount.We only slightlymore thanhalfoftheproposed A lesspositive note isthatthesubscription Austria andIreland. microgravity programme: that we have inthe two newparticipants is One positive aspect currently subscribed. –theremeeting: iscan beidentifiedfrom theoverall spiritatthis a Several strong trends present circumstances. be considered asadequate inview ofthe Microgravityprogrammes can Spaceflight and Coun programme’s scope are unavoidable. inthe butmajorreductions proposal, meaningful programme outofouroriginal Ib estab to andsee whatwe can do inorder participants now have to talk withourELIPS States.We last-minute problems withsomeMember 2 ilo,ofwhich million, 320 0 ilo.Aprnl,there were Apparently, million. 200 elieve thatwe willbeableto develop a n at u o es,istheEuropean butnotleast, And last, Th loehr theoutcome oftheEdinburgh Altogether, s andprepare for future infrastructure e approval Spaceflight oftheManned cil of Ministers forcil ofMinisters theManned lish areasonable programme. Ssrie,reduce operational SS services, strong wishto bringESA andthe € 6.2millionis 166.52 Physical Sciences and opportunities. ESA flight some additional hopefully get Coun proposal to can resubmit this then Ithinkwe astronaut policy, established and we have an Once itis finalised coming Board inthe Space Programme ESA’by a be to and thiswillhave cil and ddressed s Manned months. goals from Edinburgh. steps have to betaken achieve therevised must assimilate its decisionsandseewhat conseque onthe and withourindustrialpartners –there w –there is st 2 S2 c 1Tx lgtSoyuz-TM33 Soyuz ShuttleSTS-104 Logistics(Progress-M1-7) Soyuz Soyuz Taxi Flight Soyuz-TM32 PirsDockingCompartment Logistics(Progress-M45) ShuttleSTS-105 Soyuz 26Nov01 21Oct01 ShuttleSTS-100 QuestAirlock 24: UF1 Expedition-3Crew/MPLM Logistics(Progress-M1-6) ShuttleSTS-98 14Sep01 23: 6P Soyuz ShuttleSTS-92 22Aug01 22: 3S ShuttleSTS-102 21: 4R 10/22Aug01 Taxi Flight 12/25Jul01 20: 5P Logistics(Progress-M44) MPLM/Canadarm2 Expedition-2Crew/MPLM 20May01 Soyuz 19: 7A.1 ShuttleSTS-97 Destiny(USLab) 28Apr/31Oct01 18: 7A 19Apr/1May01 17: 4P Logistics(Progress-M1-4) ShuttleSTS-106 16: 2S Soyuz ShuttleSTS-96 8/21Mar01 26Feb01 Proton P6Truss/solar15: 6A arrays ShuttleSTS-88 Proton Soyuz-TM31 Z1Truss 7/20Feb00 14: 5A.1 ShuttleSTS-101 Logistics(Progress-M1-3) 30Nov/11Dec00 13: 3P Zvezda(ServiceModule) Expedition-1Crew/Rescue 16Nov00 Logistics(Outfitting) 12: 5A 31Oct00/21Mar01 11: 4A 11/24Oct00 10: 2P 9: 2R Logistics/Reboost 6Aug00 Unity(Node-1) 8/20Sept00 8: 3A 12Jul00 Logistics Zarya(FGB) 7: 2A.2B Vehicle 6: 1P 19/29May00 27May/3Jun98 5: 1R 4/15Dec98 4: 2A.2A 3: 2A1 20Nov98 2: 2A 1: 1A/R Element/Task Date Launch/Return Flight Nr. ISS launchestoend-2001. 4 S0 o 2Tx lgtSoyuz-TMA ShuttleSTS-112 Soyuz ShuttleSTS-114 Soyuz-TM Taxi Flight Expedition-7Crew/MPLM Soyuz ShuttleSTS-113 Logistics(Progress-M) Soyuz Expedition-6Crew/P1 Truss S1Truss Logistics(Progress-M1) 04Nov02 ShuttleSTS-111 21Nov02 Logistics(Progress-M) Soyuz 35: ULF-1 06Oct02 ShuttleSTS-110 34: 5S Taxi Expedition-5Crew/MPLM Flight 06Sep02 01Aug02 33: 10P S0Truss/Mobile Transporter 20Jul02 32: 11A Logistics(Progress-M) 14May02 31: 9A 30: 9P 02May 22Apr02 29: 8P 21Mar02 28: UF-2 15Feb02 27: 4S 26: 8A 25: 7P ISS launchesplannedfor2002. We no We less enthusiasmtowards fundingthem. withconsequently oriented programmes, some countries –onthemore science- subscribed; programmes were ofthistype well ofthe Most oriented programmes. implementation; the leadonprogramme thelead onthepoliticalsideandESA taking Eu canleadto amore important believe, Un European ro ensaeporme withtheEU pean space programme, w need to reflect withintheAgency w needto reflect nces meeting.We oftheMinisterial as somehesitation–atleastby 5/17 rong su rong o E)coe oehrTi,I ion (EU)closertogether.This, Dec01 pport for applications- pport Expedition-4Crew/MPLM Shuttle STS-108 foreword

on Station - 3 columbus CColumbusolumbus isis onon itsits WWaay!y!

Eugenio Gargioli System Engineering Manager for PICA,Alenia Spazio SpA; [email protected]

Dino Brondolo Head of Infrastructures,Alenia Spazio SpA; [email protected]

Introduction autonomously provided onboard, while air The Columbus Laboratory is on its way.The composition and revitalisation is controlled by centrepiece of Europe’s contribution to the inter-module ventilation with the rest of the International Space Station (ISS) is planned to Space Station. Ergonomics and noise be launched and attached attenuation also have to be taken into The Pressurised Integrated to Node-2 late in 2004. consideration, all aimed at guaranteeing the Columbus Assembly has Columbus will provide a maximum of comfort and safety for the completed its Torino phase and pressurised and habitable astronauts. is ready for the next step environment for However, towards orbit... experiments, as well as an supporting external facility for experiments and unpressurised payloads.The goal is to operate payload operations is it for up to 15 years, which requires a the central aim. Out of combination of a good design, reliable the 16 internal racks, hardware and in-orbit maintenance. only three are used Under ESA coordination, with Astrium GmbH for module as the prime contractor, Alenia Spazio is the subsystems.Three are co-prime and is responsibile for the thermal- dedicated to general mechanical system design and verification – Station stowage, while which means that Columbus can withstand the 10 are reserved for launch in the Shuttle’s cargo bay and provides payloads.This has been achieved

on Station through a careful and strict optimisation of the system configuration, making use of the end-cones for housing subsystem 4 - equipment. Electronic and physical mock-ups were built during design development and verification, to demonstrate that crew requirements were satisifed.The result is a module with the same capabilities as the Columbus is prepared for Station’s other laboratories, but shorter and shipping from Alenia Spazio’s cheaper. Torino plant. In fact, Columbus features all the standard a safe and comfortable environment for the facilities required for inter-changeability of crew to perform experiments. payload racks across the Station: nitrogen supply, waste gas removal, vacuum source, The Mission cooling and, last but not least, a microgravity Columbus consists of an 8 m-long, 4.5 m- environment. So Columbus is well-suited to diameter, pressurised hull with a controlled supporting multi-disciplinary payload missions atmosphere. Air conditioning and filtration is in the microgravity, life science, space science

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Columbus is loaded aboard its Beluga transporter at Torino airport,on 27 September. and technology disciplines. sub-assemblies, which were pre-integrated In addition, the External Payload Facility outside the module.The integration teams (EPF) accommodates four payload pallets for could work separately but in parallel, avoiding experiments directly exposed to space. the concentration of manpower on the same work site.This improved accessibility, which System Verification eased tasks like checking for leaks on fluid Important goals in system verification were lines.The four standoffs inside Columbus (for achieved at Alenia Spazio during the attaching and supplying utilities to the racks) development phase.The primary and were pre-integrated in parallel. Although very secondary structures were qualified in 2000 by crowded, their pre-integration was smoothly the Pressure Decay Test and the Modal Survey. completed.The complete integration was The environmental and thermal control system achieved incrementally by installing the was qualified in the course of 1999 and 2000, sub-assemblies in the module, once ready. using a fluid-loop breadboard equipped with This approach copes with a tight schedule the Engineering Models of the assemblies and manages the flow of incoming hardware controlling system functions.The interaction on a just-in-time basis.The convergence of the between the hardware and software could various sub-assemblies in the central line of then be tested before verification on the integration can be trimmed on a day-by-day ProtoFlight Model of Columbus. basis, while activities are ongoing.This Ergonomics and human factor requirements increases the flexibility for tolerating delays in a were also verified by Neutral Buoyancy Testing chain. on a Columbus mock-up. A fundamental milestone in system The Future Path verification was The torch has now passed to Astrium GmbH at The Columbus interior as achieved when the Bremen (D), where Columbus arrived on completed in Torino.The four NASA Crew Office 27 September.There, they will complete the standoffs that support and supply services to the racks approved the man integration by assembling the electronic run along the module’s interface design. equipment and performing the functional length. checkout. Columbus During the ProtoFlight Verification, Alenia Integration Spazio will be responsible for conducting Alenia Spazio is also important system tests, for thermal and responsible for environmental control, audible noise and designing, microgravity attenuation, offgassing manufacturing and characterisation of the module’s interior, and procuring the Primary and Secondary Structures, the Harness and Fluid Lines, together with on Station the related equipment and assemblies.The elements for internal outfitting, such as 5 Illumination and Crew Support Equipment, and for external protection, such as multi-layer insulation and the Micrometeoroid & Debris Protection System, were procured or manufactured by Alenia Spazio. Finally, the Preparing a standoff for company integrated all these parts into the installation in the module. Pressurised Integrated Columbus Assembly (PICA). PICA integration began in March 2001 illumination of the crew compartment. and was completed in September, ready for When the test campaign is completed in the delivery earlier than planned. course of 2002, and the initial payload is then The integration approach exployed the installed, the mission-ready Columbus will be experience gained by Alenia Spazio in the delivered in January 2004 to the Kennedy course of Italy’s Multi Purpose Logistics Module Space Center for pre-launch processing and programme. Columbus is divided into several launch in October 2004 to the Space Station. ■ on Station no. 7, december 2001 mfc MMicricroogrgraavitvityy FFacilitiesacilities fforor CColumbusolumbus

Giuseppe Reibaldi Head of Microgravity Facilities for Columbus Division,ESTEC,PO Box 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected]

The Microgravity Facilities for Columbus (MFC) functional and programme began in 1997 to develop several performance multi-user laboratories and requirements, ESA’s research facilities for the hardware required by providing a high Columbus and Destiny are now in the internationally selected level of their final stages of construction... experiments from the confidence in worldwide Announcements the FM design. of Opportunity. All of the laboratories are In particular, the designed for scientific research and microscope commercial activities. performed MSL Engineering Model at MFC has now completed all but one of the better than Astrium (D), October 2001. Engineering Models (EMs).The Flight Models specified. It is (FMs) will be delivered in 2002 and 2003. one of Biolab’s Discussions are underway with NASA to install major features and will be operated by Biolab and the Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) in scientists on the ground via telescience. the US Destiny laboratory, ahead of the In parallel with EM testing, manufacture of Columbus launch in late 2004. the Flight Model is proceeding smoothly. Some Detailed descriptions can be found in ESA subsystems are ready for delivery. It is Bulletin #102 (May 2000), but the latest expected that the FM will pass its Acceptance developments are covered here. Review by the end of 2002.

on Station Biolab European Physiology Modules (EPM) Biolab is designed for EPM is a carrier housing several modules for automated space experiments experiments in human physiology.The current on cell tissues, small plants and set of science modules being developed is: animals. It features 6 - sophisticated diagnostic –Bone Analysis Module (BAM), ESA; equipment, such as a –Sample Collection Drawer (SCD), ESA; spectrophotometer and a –Multi-Electrode Electroencephalogram microscope.The detailed design Mapping Module (MEEMM), ESA; was concluded with the Critical –Cardiolab, CNES/DLR; Design Review (CDR) in 2000. As –ELITE-S2 (postural movements in 3D), ASI. part of the CDR, ESA astronauts Claudie Haigneré and Pedro This set complements those being Duque in July 2000 verified the developed by NASA for their Human Research man-machine interface features, Facilities (HRF-1 & -2).The preliminary designs proving that it could be of the carrier and its science modules were operated satisfactorily in orbit. completed in 2000, and the detailed design Once fully integrated, Biolab’s work is now underway. Breadboard models of The Biolab Engineering Model EM underwent an extensive system-level test the ESA modules have confirmed their designs. at Astrium, June 2001. campaign, showing that it satisfied ESA’s The current procurement and manufacture

on Station no. 7, december 2001 FSL Engineering Model at Alenia Spazio,June 2001.

growth. In cooperation with NASA, it is the major element of Destiny’s Materials Science Research Rack-1 (MSRR-1). The furnaces being developed by ESA are the Low Gradient Furnace (LGF) and the Solidification Quenching Furnace (SQF), able to generate up to 1500°C. MSL offers conventional diagnostics such as high-accuracy thermocouples, Seebeck measurements (e.g. insight into the nature and dynamics of solidification processes) and ultrasound. The CDR completed the detailed design in early 2001. MSL’s EM is integrated and system testing will be concluded by end-2001.

MSL-Electro-Magnetic Levitator (MSL-EML) of the EM subsystems will lead to an MSL-EML is a follow-up version extensively electrical/data-handling test campaign in reusing the hardware to reduce costs.The main January-February 2002. CDR is planned for scientific objective is the measurement of early in 2002, followed by FM delivery in 2003. thermo-physical properties of metals.The core of the facility is an electro-magnetic levitator EPM Contribution to HRF-2 building on DLR’s TEMPUS system.The main ESA has agreed with NASA diagnostic tool is a to provide a science high-resolution or module for lung research – high-speed video the Pulmonary Function camera. System (PFS) – for As a cooperative integration into the HRF-2 project with DLR, the laboratory to be launched joint Phase-A/B began in 2002. PFS was previously in June 2001 for planned to fly in EPM. A completion in 2002. commercial derivative is MSL-EML is expected being used in hospitals. to fly on Columbus in Testing the MEEMM PFS has been qualified, the 2005. breadboard model. Training Model and Qualification Model have been delivered to NASA for integration in the User Support Activities HRF Ground Models, and the FM will be Selecting experiments for the laboratories is a delivered to NASA at the end of 2001. continuing process, but hardware development for the first batch of experiments is already Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) underway. For the FSL Experiment on Station FSL is designed for investigations into fluid Containers, Phase-A/B will begin before dynamics, offering sophisticated diagnostic end-2001, while work will begin on the - 7 tools with 63 observation modes.The detailed hardware for Biolab and MSL design was completed by the CDR in 2000. experiments in early 2002. However, in view of the uncertain microgravity To support Biolab experiments, ESA environment on the Station, the Canadian is developing the Experiment Space Agency is providing a Microgravity Preparation Unit (EPU) for the Vibration Isolation System (MVIS) to be astronauts to thaw delivered frozen integrated in the FSL. A ‘Delta CDR’ will account samples under well-defined for this new subsystem by the end of 2001. temperature, time and gravity FSL’s EM is fully integrated and system conditions. EPU Phase-B was testing will conclude by end-2001. completed by the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in November 2001. A Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) in US Lab fully functional breadboard MSL accommodates different furnaces for demonstrated the scientific The PFS training model at investigating solidification physics and crystal performance of the instrument. ■ Innovision,Denmark. on Station no. 7, december 2001 lse FFirstirst LSELSE DDelivelivereriesies

Aldo Petrivelli Head of LSE Section,Space Station Utilisation Division,D/MSM,ESTEC,Postbus 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected]

Introduction Development Status The Laboratory Support Equipment (LSE) MELFI and MSG have completed their design programme is developing three laboratory and development phases. MSG’s Flight Unit facilities and a pointing was delivered to NASA in mechanism for the The Agency’s development of October, while MELFI’s International Space Station research hardware will provide first Flight Unit will be (ISS): European users with early access delivered in January. –Microgravity Science to the Space Station... Hexapod is in the last Glovebox (MSG); stage of development, –Minus Eighty degree centigrade Laboratory with delivery to NASA scheduled by mid-2002. Freezer for ISS (MELFI) to freeze and store life Cryosystem is still undergoing final scientific sciences and biological samples; and utilisation requirement assessments, –Hexapod for pointing external payloads with before entering its preliminary design phase high accuracy; (Phase-B) at the end of 2001. –Cryosystem cryogenic storage and quick- The same general development philosophy snap freezer system. was adopted for the first three projects.The 2-year Phase-Bs included developing In addition, the LSE breadboards of the most critical equipment programme includes the and assemblies, and demonstrating the basic development of ground- functional performance.The MELFI and MSG support equipment, such as the Phase-C/Ds started in October 1996, and in

on Station Test Equipment for Payload January 1998 for Hexapod. MELFI and MSG Development (TEPAD), for ground models are helping to create the general payloads in the science procedures and train the astronauts at pressurised modules. NASA’s Johnson Space Center. In addition, NASA will take ownership of Engineering Models are available for sustaining 8 - the flight units and be engineering during the operational phase. responsible for their operations. However, ESA will provide The Technical Challenges spares and Many technical challenges had to be overcome Hexapod’s high-fidelity technical support for their during the developments of MSG, MELFI and mechanical interface maintenance.These Hexapod: simulator. activities will in future –they are among the first to be designed for be part of the ESA the ISS, for an environment and payload Exploitation infrastructure undecided at that time; Programme. –the 10-year lifetimes and on-orbit The pro- maintenance of MSG and MELFI were curement of novelties and heavy design drivers; Hexapod mounted on its critical spares –MELFI required a significant effort in Express Pallet, with its is already preparing the two key technologies on SAGE-III payload. underway. which the freezer’s design is based: the

on Station no. 7, december 2001 MSG’s Flight Unit in EMC testing at Astrium (D).

The first MELFI Flight Brayton turbo-compressor cooler and the With MELFI, Unit at Astrium.The super-vacuum thermal insulation. Significant ESA and European four dewars are in breadboarding and qualification was space industry the lower area achieved within the thin financial budget; have developed –MSG was developed in parallel with ESA’s new technologies Standard Payload Outfitting Equipment and integrated (SPOE), while being its first user and testbed; them in a new –within MELFI and MSG, the structural design concept for a and qualification of the NASDA-provided space freezer. For standard racks were fully assimilated by ESA, the first time, the making them available for similar projects at scientific little effort; community will –the undecided ISS environment for external have a permanent payloads made the development of large cold storage Hexapod’s external interfaces difficult and volume in space. risky, saved only by good technical coordination with NASA. Hexapod’s Qualification Campaign The linear actuator – Hexapod’s key The MSG Flight Unit at KSC electromechanical constituent – began a The MSG Flight Unit is now at the Kennedy complete functional and environmental Space Center undergoing interface testing and test campaign in November. It will then be final preparations for launch. From May, it will added to the system-level engineering unit provide the ISS with its unique and which is being used to finalise the flight multidisciplinary laboratory support software. Integration of the Flight Unit capabilities in Destiny. It can handle a wide began in November with the electronic variety of materials, house investigations into unit; mechanical assembly follows in combustion, fluids and biotechnology and January.This fully integrated flight unit will accommodate minor repairs and servicing of be ready for its test campaign by February. hardware requiring a controlled working The FU will be delivered to NASA’s Langley environment. Research Center by mid-2002, where NASA’s MSG’s design and development evolved Stratospheric Aerosol & Gas Experiment substantially from the Spacelab and Middeck (SAGE)-III experiment will be added. Gloveboxes that flew on numerous Shuttle and With Hexapod, European space industry Sample storage in one of Mir missions. Significant enhancements include has made the first space application of the MELFI’s dewars. a substantially larger work volume, increased hexapod-based positioning/pointing power, enhanced diagnostics and data control, technology used extensively on large ground and temperature and humidity control. telescopes.

MELFI Flight Unit 1 in Acceptance Review Cryosystem Phase-B at Start The Acceptance Review of MELFI’s FU-1 began Cryosystem’s Phase-B begins in December on Station on 15 November with the goal of achieving the 2001. During the design phase, prototypes of ‘consent to ship’ in January to be ready for the complete freezers and some orbital - 9 launch on UF-1 in September 2002.The system support equipment will be developed to has already been fully verified on the ground. confirm their feasibility. Four flight units will be In particular, its thermal performance has been built, for use in orbit and cold transportation in measured in extensive tests. Its cooling the Multi Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM). performance in orbit has been predicted by Delivery of the first is planned for 2006, to be analysis, using thermal models correlated with ready for launch on UF-6 or UF-7 in 2007. the ground tests. FU-1’s on-orbit Cryosystem is a combined set of facilities for commissioning in the Destiny module will preparing, preserving and storing biological include verification of the actual cooling samples and protein crystals at cryogenic provided to the samples. For this purpose, ESA temperature.Thanks to its ultra-rapid cooling developed at ESTEC the MELFI On-Orbit and its relatively large cold volume, it will Commissioning Experiment (MOOCE), to record greatly improve the quality and quantity of temperatures at different locations and science results, mainly in life sciences, samples. physiology and biotechnology. ■ on Station no. 7, december 2001 astronauts NNeeww RRussianussian FFlighlightt OppOpporortuniestunies fforor ESAESA

Jean-Pierre Haigneré Head,Astronaut Division,European Astronaut Centre (EAC),Cologne,Germany Email:[email protected]

ESA/Rosaviakosmos Framework Agreement (D, F,I), other ESA Member States (A, UK, B) and In Moscow on 23 May 2001, ESA and the ESA itself have performed 33 spaceflights with Russian space agency signed a framework 27 astronauts, including 15 Russian Soyuz agreement on the terms, principles and missions. Some 70% of the total number of conditions for cooperating on ISS operations, working days spent in space by European through a series of flights astronauts were aboard Russian spacecraft. An agreement with Russia is to the Station for ESA Many of the qualifications that ESA astronauts providing the European astronauts, particularly can proudly claim today were won through Astronaut Corps with much- aboard the Soyuz taxi cooperation with our Russian colleagues. As an needed flight opportunities... flights.This agreement is ISS Partner concerned about the delays in the first but important Station construction and the lack of flight step in a programme initiated by the European opportunities for ESA astronauts, the Agency Astronaut Centre to enhance ESA’s Station considers this cooperation with Rosaviacosmos access during 2001-2006.These shorter taxi to be critically important. But there are other flights are essential if we are to prepare the important and more strategic reasons for reviving the cooperation with Rosaviakosmos in manned space activities:

–Russia offers excellent qualifications and flight positions, significantly increasing our operational expertise in the most sophisticated crew activities, such as

on Station performing EVA or flying as Flight Engineers on Soyuz; –qualification as a Soyuz Reentry Commander is an important asset for European astronauts to bring to the ISS. Soyuz is the 10 - only escape vehicle until the NASA/ESA Crew Return Vehicle becomes operational; –experience on Russian systems is needed to gain access to the highest operational positions of the ISS, such as the European Astronauts Corps for the challenging commander’s; ISS tasks ahead.This agreement should also –Europe’s space user community can be Soyuz-TM33,with Claudie allow the European scientific community to offered more early opportunities to pursue Haigneré aboard,ready to rehearse payload operations, compensating for its scientific programme on the ISS actively dock. the Station’s assembly delays, until Europe’s supported by European astronauts.This Columbus module is launched in October enhances public awareness of ESA’s 2004. contribution to spaceflight ventures; –ground personnel can develop operational Soyuz Flights by European Astronauts skills and fine-tune procedures for future ISS Since 1978, European national space agencies activities;

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Claudie Haigneré with ISS Commander Frank Culbertson in Zvezda.(NASA)

During the 8 days aboard the Station, she pursued a schedule of research in life and physical sciences, Earth observation, technology and education. Four months of classroom training on the Soyuz and ISS systems preceded training during June- September in the Soyuz simulator for launch, manoeuvres, approach, docking, descent and landing. Science training began in Toulouse in June, and continued in the Russian facilities right up to launch. She prepared for daily life aboard the Station mainly in the Zarya and Zvezda mock-ups in Star City. In August, a week at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston – space cooperation between ESA and Russia, focused on an integrated simulation using which is important strategically, remains both US and Russian modules.The crew passed healthy and Europe has access to an their final technical and medical exams in alternative transportation system to the ISS. September.

The new Soyuz opportunities could add an Vittori and De Winne average of one flight per year for ESA. However, Training in Star City during the Ministerial Council meeting in Two more ESA astronauts November, the Member States did not agree to began training in August for finance further flights. For the near future, the future Soyuz taxi flights: European Astronaut Corp has to rely on Roberto Vittori in April 2002 national initiatives to sustain a minimum level and Frank De Winne possibly of operational activity, unless a consensus is in November 2002. In rapidly found. For the time being, there are September, they passed the already three flights within the framework medical commission and agreement either sponsored by Member States participated in sea-survival or under discussion: Claudie Haigneré (F), training to cope with a water landing.They are Roberto Vittori (left) and Roberto Vittori (I) and Frank De Winne (B). now in the classroom learning the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko language and the Soyuz systems. By the end of (right) undergo water- First ESA Astronaut on a Soyuz Taxi Flight the year, they will have begun classroom survival training in the Black Sea in September. The French space agency was the first to training on the Station’s Russian segment and respond positively to ESA’s proposal. Claudie practical training in the Haigneré began training in Star City in January Soyuz simulator. Like Claudie, 2001 for the Andromède mission, sponsored by they will qualify as Soyuz CNES. Launched on 21 October 2001, this 10- Flight Engineers. day mission had a double objective. As a taxi on Station flight, it replaced the Station’s Soyuz lifeboat. Next Steps During all of the vehicle’s flight phases, Claudie The ESA/Rosaviakosmos - 11 occupied the left seat as the Flight Engineer. framework agreement on taxi flights is an important step in the cooperation between the two ISS Partners.The three taxi flights supported by ESA Member States is a Frank De Winne practises significant first result.The Ministerial Council survival techniques in the meeting did not provide ESA with the financial event of a water landing. framework essential for implementing a truly European Astronaut career policy, but Europe still has some months to make a decision before the unique operational capacity offered by the Soyuz taxi flights attracts other ISS Claudie Haigneré after Partners or commercial ventures. ■ landing,31 October. on Station no. 7, december 2001 atv AATTVV TTestingesting BBeginsegins

Robert Lainé & Patrice Amadieu ATV Project Office,D/MSM,66 Route de Verneuil,F78133 Les Mureaux,France Email: [email protected]

Introduction control centre near Moscow, which oversees all The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) will the Station’s Russian modules. enable Europe to transport supplies to the ATV’s docking mechanism is being provided International Space Station, docking with by Russia in exchange for ESA’s Data Russia’s Zvezda module after a 2-day Management System (DMS-R) for Zvezda. A autonomous flight. Its 7.4 t similar DMS is being used in Columbus and The ATV project is now on net payload will include ATV. The docking system has long been used course for a first launch in late scientific equipment, on Russia’s space stations and Soyuz and August 2004... general supplies, water, Progress craft. A probe engages the receptacle oxygen and propellant. on Zvezda and is slowly retracted until the More than 4 t can be propellant for ATV’s own 1.3 m-dia faces and their electrical and engines to reboost hydraulic connectors mate. the Station at regular Eight hooks on each face are intervals to combat closed to complete hard atmospheric drag. docking. Zvezda’s 80 cm-dia Up to 860 kg of refuelling hatch is opened by the propellant can be transferred via crew and a long tool is Zvezda to Zarya for Station attitude used to unlock ATV’s and orbit control. Up to 5.5 t of dry hatch. Finally, 16 cargo can be carried in the pressurised clamps are compartment. installed for rigidity An ATV will be launched on across the docking collars.

on Station average every year, paying ATV development was Europe’s 8.3% contribution confirmed at the October 1995 ESA Ministerial in kind to the Station’s Council meeting in Toulouse. Phase-B2 began common operating in July 1996.The Phase-C/D contract was costs. It can remain signed with EADS-Launch Vehicles on 25 12 - docked for up to November 1998. PDR was completed in 6months,during December 2000; CDR is due in early 2003. ESA ATV Capacities which time it will be loaded and Arianespace in June 2000 signed a with Station waste before €1billion contract to launch nine ATVs over a Launch mass: 20500 kg undocking and flying into period of 10 years.They will be produced and Net cargo: 7372 kg dry cargo: 1500-5500 kg Earth’s atmosphere to burn up. operated by industry under a single contract water: 0-840 kg Following launch from the (encompassing the launch contract), expected gas (O2,N2,air): 0-100 kg Ariane-5 complex in French to be awarded in mid-2002. Refuelling propellant: 0-860 kg Guiana, the mission will be (306/554 kg MMH/MON Reboost propellant: 0-4000 kg controlled from the ATV Detailed Status Dry mass: 10720 kg (inc. 7% margin) Control Centre in Toulouse (F). Following completion of the PDR in December Spacecraft dry: 5127 kg Docking manoeuvres will be 2000, the ATV design is now consolidated and Cargo Carrier dry: 3455 kg (cargo hardware 1437 kg) coordinated with NASA’s Space the technical documentation was updated Consumables (propellant/He): 2408 kg Station Control Center in during the first quarter of 2001. In particular, all Houston and with Russia’s the key interface requirements have been

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Policy Committee and signed with EADS-LV.To keep the project on track, ESA’s Project Team moved to the EADS-LV site at Les Mureaux (F) in summer 2001. The Flight Application Software specification review, Monitoring and Safety Unit Software specification review, Russian Refuelling, Russian Electronics Control System and Russian Docking System CDRs all took place on schedule in 2001 without revealing any major problems. The ATV ICC dynamic model at Hardware and Test Phase ESTEC. The dynamic model of the Integrated consolidated, and the main documents have Cargo Carrier (ICC) was delivered to ESTEC in been signed by all the parties and are under July 2001 for testing.The structural thermal configuration control: model (STM) of the Equipped Avionics – ATV to ISS Interface Requirement Document, Bay (EAB) was signed between ESA, NASA and shipped from Rosaviakosmos/RSC-Energia, Toulouse (F) to – ATV to ATV Control Center Interface Bremen (D) on Requirement Document,signed between ESA 5October 2001 for MSM-MA (ATV Project) and ESA MSM-EO integration with the (Operations), Equipped Propulsion – Ariane-5 to ATV Document de Controle des Bay.The assembled Interfaces,between ESA and Arianespace. spacecraft was then shipped by Beluga On the contractual side, a rider to the aircraft to ESTEC on Phase-C/D contract accounting for PDR design 9November. modifications was approved by ESA’s Industrial Following integration with the ICC, its 1-year test campaign then The Equipped Propulsion Bay began.This includes acoustic, modal STM at Astrium in Bremen. survey, clampband release, solar on Station panel deployment and thermal testing in ESTEC’s Large Space - 13 Simulator. For the EAB Electrical Test Model (ETM) in Toulouse, integration of the electrical harness and the avionics began in mid-October and all activities will be completed in July 2002 for shipment to Les Mureaux. There, it will be used for tests together with the Functional Simulation Facility (FSF) to provide most of ATV’s functional qualification. The ATV ICC dynamic model at In parallel, qualification of the ATV ESTEC, showing the tanks for propulsion system is underway at carrying gases, water and Astrium in Bremen. ■ propellant. on Station no. 7, december 2001 ground segment ESAESA’’ss MMannedanned SSpacpacefligheflightt GGrroundound SSegmenegmentt

Wim van Leeuwen Head,Ground Segment Implementation Section,Operations Management Division,Exploitation Programme Preparation Department, D/MSM,ESTEC,Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email:[email protected]

Introduction and Scope ATV and Columbus crew training and for ESA’s Manned Spaceflight Ground Segment will payload compatibility testing with the provide the control facilities and Columbus infrastructure.The training facilities communications infrastructure for Columbus for Columbus and ATV will be at the European and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), as Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne (D), and a well as communications for the distributed ESA second Columbus training facility will be payload operations.The integrated with the Space Station Training Development of the control and ESA Council decided on Facility (SSTF) in Houston.The Rack Level Test communications system for 16 December 1998 that the Facility (RLTF) for payloads-to-Columbus ESA’s Station elements and Columbus Control Centre compatibility testing will be located in Bremen payloads is well advanced... (COL-CC), together with (D), at the Astrium integration site. ground communications management and central node, will be located Columbus Control Centre (COL-CC) at DLR/Oberpfaffenhofen (D), while the ATV COL-CC will be an ESA facility hosted at and mission control centre (ATV-CC) will be at CNES making use of the resources/infrastructure in Toulouse (F). ESA payload operations will be provided by DLR/Oberpfaffenhofen. It will conducted from a number of User Support and adapt the DLR mission control building Operations Centres (USOCs) in participating previously used for the operations of the countries. ATV and Columbus operations will Spacelab-D2 and Euromir missions (Fig. 1). also be supported by a number of industrial COL-CC will operate Columbus in close Fig. 1. DLR control room to be used for COL-CC (seen here sites and from ESTEC, where the Operations cooperation with the Space Station Control on Station before installation of the Management Team (OMT) function will reside. Center, Houston (MCC-H) and the Payload Columbus-specific facilities). The ground segment also provides facilities for Operations and Integration Center (POIC) at the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC). It will also provide support functions for payload operations such as: 14 - –routing of telecommands from the payload operations site to Columbus, –distribution of support data to the USOCs; –archiving of low- (S-band) and medium-rate (Ku-band) telemetry, telecommands, audio and video, and –local payload operations rooms.

Columbus system and payload commands will be uplinked via MCC-H. Columbus telemetry downlinked via S- and Ku-band will be received respectively from MCC-H and HOSC for processing. COL-CC will also receive processed data on overall ISS status and the space-to-ground links to MCC-H, POIC/HOSC,

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Fig. 2.The overall ground network architecture. ACT: ATV Crew Trainer. AGCS: ATV Ground Control Simulator. CLTU/CADUs are CCSDS- standard (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) frames for telemetry &telecommand. FSF: ATV Functional Simulation Facility. TDRS: Tracking & Data Relay System. TQVS: Columbus Training, Qualification & Validation Subsystem. TRE: Columbus Trainer in Europe. TRU: Columbus Trainer in USA. WS:White Sands,New Mexico, USA (TDRS ground terminal). Other acronyms are explained in the text. and the Russian Mission Control Centre control system, together with the qualified (MCC-M). CGS-based Columbus Mission Database from For the COL-CC monitoring and control the Columbus Phase-C/D at COL-CC, reduces subsystem, the Columbus Ground Software the risk of incompatibility between the ground (CGS) support package will be used, expanded and flight systems. for control centre operations.The TQVS (Training, Qualification & Validation Subsystem) Ground Communication Network flight system simulator – part of COL-CC and The resources and services of the ground used for ground operator training – will also be communication network will also be monitored based on CGS. and controlled from DLR/Oberpfaffenhofen. CGS was developed for Columbus and is This includes the management of the switching already in operational use as part of different nodes, the provision and monitoring of flight system development and verification connectivity for data, audio and video services, support systems, as well as other systems part and the related audio and video equipment as of the Columbus ground segment. well as the Data Services System (DaSS). The following ground support systems are Columbus and ATV will be using NASA and based on CGS: Russian space-to-ground links, so ESA’s ground –Columbus Electrical Ground Support network will have to interface with a number of Equipment (EGSE ), existing NASA and Russian facilities.The on Station –Columbus software integration and ground network data support service system validation facilities (SITE), will therefore need to support a number of - 15 –crew trainers (TRE & TRU), different interface data protocols. –Columbus flight system simulator at the Nonetheless, the DaSS will provide a single NASA Software Development and standardised protocol to all Columbus Integration Laboratory (Software Verification payloads for telecommanding, telemetry (low- Facility), and medium-rate), and processed data from –the Columbus facility for payload the different ISS mission control centres.The compatibility tests (RLTF). standardised and secure DaSS interface is also foreseen for ATV as the interface for ISS CGS software is also used by NASA for its ISS processed data and the telemetry/ Software Verification Facility and the ISS telecommand link via Moscow. Mission Build Facility, and by ESA for DMS-R, To summarise, ESA’s ground network will ATV and other spacecraft ground support provide interfaces to: systems. –Mission Control Centres: COL-CC, ATV-CC, Using the CGS-based monitoring and MCC-Houston, MCC-Moscow, POIC/ HOSC, on Station no. 7, december 2001 ground segment

–crew training facilities: EAC-Cologne and phases (free-flying, docking, docked). ATV SSTF-Houston, command and control will follow three –engineering support centres: Astrium GmbH, different paths: Bremen (D); EADS-LV, Les Mureaux (F); –NASA TDRS satellites, via MCC-H during free- Astrium SAS,Toulouse (F); ALTEC,Torino (I), flight, –ATV launch site: Kourou (via the French –radio-frequency proximity link, via the ICARE network), Russian Zvezda module and MCC-M during –Operations Management Team: ESTEC, the approach and docking phase, –payload operations centres (USOCs/Facility –bus connection with Zvezda via MCC-M Responsible Centres): MUSC, MARS, when ATV is docked (Fig. 4). CADMOS, Erasmus, DAMEC, DUC, BIOTESC, B- USOC and IDR. ATV-CC exchanges telecommands and telemetry with MCC-M in the form of CCSDS- These interfaces will use rented and standard packets over a DaSS protocol.The on-demand available lines. Fig. 2 shows that DaSS protocol ensures the necessary security most communications are routed via COL-CC. , level as well as standardisation of the MSM However, telecommands and telemetry for data exchange. On the TDRS link, via MCC-H, payloads not aboard Columbus will be routed ATV-CC delivers telecommands in the form of directly between the MCC-M or POIC/HOSC to encrypted packets embedded in CCSDS CLTUs the payload operations locations. Also, the and receives ATV telemetry in the form of Columbus payload high-rate Ku-band data will CCSDS CADUs.These CCSDS data frames are be routed directly from POIC/HOSC to the exchanged between ATV-CC and MCC-H over a standard protocol. At the MCC-H interface, CNES equipment Fig. 3.The ATV control centre, now being built,will be hosted at converts the CCSDS CNES premises in Toulouse (F). data in both directions as a clocked serial bit- stream.The space/ground communication path with ATV is then established via the TDRS satellites. ISS and ATV onboard data and ground

on Station segment data from MCC-H, MCC-M and ATV-CC are collected by the ground communication 16- network and exchanged payload control centres. Nevertheless, all those between the three control centres in the form links will be controlled from COL-CC. of processed data over a DaSS protocol. ATV-CC hosts the ATV mission database.The ATV Control Centre (ATV-CC) ATV-CC operational database used by the Although ATV is a highly automated spacecraft, monitoring and control subsystem, as well as some onboard functions need to be controlled by the flight dynamics subsystem, directly uses by the ground. In particular, the flight dynamics the data definitions provided by this qualified will be a shared activity between the onboard database. As for COL-CC, ATV-CC will also be software and the ground. ATV-CC (Fig. 3) will equipped with a flight element simulator, to have a sophisticated set of flight dynamics support ATV-CC verification, operations support functions, in addition to conventional procedures verification and ground operator monitoring and control. training.The simulator will also support joint Telecommand and telemetry routing are multi-segment training involving ATV-CC, dependent on the different ATV operations MCC-H, MCC-M and COL-CC.

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Fig. 4.The ATV end-to-end communication links.

Crew Training Support Facilities communication links and tests of the special The MSM ground infrastructure will provide processing by Zvezda. crew training facilities for Columbus and ATV, including space elements at EAC and Development Status integrated training with ground controllers. The System Requirement Reviews for ATV-CC, These EAC simulators will be linked via the COL-CC, the ground communication network ground network with ATV-CC and/or COL-CC. and the ATV ground segment simulator and The ground segment will also provide a training facilities were successfully completed Columbus training facility for integration with earlier this year.The Request for Quotation SSTF in Houston, linked with MCC-H and (RfQ) for ATV-CC is being prepared, the RfQ for COL-CC for integrated training of ground COL-CC has been released and the RfQs for the operators. different subsystems are under development on Station by DLR.The RfQ for the ATV simulators has Ground System Acceptance and Validation been released and the proposal is under -17 The complete ground segment will tested and review.The simulators for Columbus crew qualified, using simulated external elements. training and the facility for Columbus payload Final tests will use the real flight elements in compatibility testing (RLTF) are already in the loop before launch.These System production. Validation Tests will verify the compatibility A basic communications infrastructure is between the control centres and the flight already in use, based on a prototype network elements, and address the monitoring and infrastructure for communications and data control system (telecommand and telemetry). services (Phase-1 of the ground segment), They also cover other aspects such as the which provided proof-of-concept by uplink of telecommands with verification of supporting Spacelab precursor flights and the correct onboard reception and the operational Euromir-95 mission.This infrastructure will communication links. In addition, for ATV, the continue to support ESA payload operations system validation will include tests of the data until the DLR-provided infrastructure becomes encryption test of the real TDRS spacecraft operational. ■ on Station no. 7, december 2001 maxus MMaxusaxus--4:4: MMissionission AAccccomplishedomplished

Wolfgang Herfs Head of Mini-Missions Section,Microgravity & Space Station Utilisation Dept.,D/MSM Email:[email protected]

Introduction experiment cells divided between the ESA’s Maxus-4 suborbital rocket was launched investigators each provided a foam-generator, from ESRANGE near Kiruna in northern Sweden lighting, an overview CCD camera and a on 29 April 2001.The 489 kg scientific payload movable CCD camera with a small depth of reached the predicted field. Dr. Adler was interested in transient The Agency’s latest microgravity apogee of 704 km, aqueous foams, while Prof. Kronberg suborbital flight is producing providing 12.3 min investigated very dry organic foams.The foams important results... microgravity time for the were generated by simultaneously injecting experiments. The mission, the liquid and nitrogen or carbon dioxide 100% funded by ESA, under pressure through a glass filter into the carried five autonomous modules with six experiment cell of 50x50x50 mm.The cell experiments: pressure was then reduced to create a dry, stable foam.The movable camera then scanned Physics of Foams;M.Adler (Univ. of Marne la the cell to allow a 3-D reconstruction of the Vallée, F), B. Kronberg (Inst. of Surface foam after the flight. Chemistry, Stockholm, S); FOAM module; This was only the second European foam Vibration-Induced Convection in Floating Zone experiment aboard a sounding rocket, Growth;multi-national science team headed following the German Texus 10 mission in by A. Cröll (INEMR, Freiberg, D); TEM 02-5 M; 1984. On Maxus-4, the result was only partly Application of a Rotating Magnetic Field for the satisfactory, mainly because the foams were Suppression of Time-Dependent Marangoni either unstable or too dense and wet. A Convection;multi-national science team follow-on experiment is being discussed, as a

on Station headed by P. Dold (KI, Freiburg, D); precursor to a dedicated foam container for TEM 02-5 M; ESA’s Fluid Science Laboratory on Columbus. Crystallisation Kinetics of Silicalite-1;F.Martens, P. J a c o bs (KU Leuven, B); TEM 06-26 M; Silicon Growth Pulsating and Rotating Instabilities in a Liquid Two rather spectacular silicon growth 18 - Bridge;R.Monti et al.(Univ. Frederico II, experiments in the two mono-ellipsoidal mirror Naples, I); TEM 06-4 M; furnaces of the TEM 02-5 M module illustrated The Multi-Roll Instability of Capillary Flow in Long how the production of semiconductors can be Floating Zones;D.Schwabe (Univ. of Giessen, improved. Heat and mass flows in floating zone D); TEM 06-27 M. growth of semiconductor crystals are governed by surface tension-driven convection The two mirror furnaces of The four TEM modules were developed by (‘Marangoni convection’), preventing uniform TEM 02-5 M.Behind: rotating Astrium (D) and the FOAM module by the crystals. In such electrically conducting melts, field furnace.Front: the Swedish Space Corp. these convective flows can be counteracted by sample rod (recovered a rotating magnetic field.This was clearly undamaged) for the vibration experiment,minus Foam Stability demonstrated on Maxus-4.The Marangoni the furnace. FOAM’s goal is to understand the stabilising flows were largely suppressed, layering of the forces behind short-lived foams.This will help, doping materials practically vanished and the for example, to prevent foam flooding in temperature fluctuations were reduced by distillation towers. Four autonomous nearly an order of magnitude.This was

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Preparing the FOAM module in the Esrange integration hall. achieved via six electromagnetic coils outside established between them to trigger surface the lower part of the mirror furnace, creating a convection in the bridge.The experiments 7mT magnetic field at the sample location, were set up quite differently: rotating at 50 Hz. Monti Schwabe Oil viscosity 2 cSt 0.65 cSt Bridge (= disc) diameter 20 mm 6 mm Bridge length 20 mm 15 mm Max. temp. difference 20°C 12°C

Prof. Monti used eight thin thermocouples protruding from the upper disc into the liquid and an IR-camera for temperature The doping layering (left of measurements.The heat fluxes through the image) was suppressed discs were measured via calibrated thin foils. (right) by the rotating A CCD camera observed the flows using magnetic field in TEM 02-5 M. In 1997 it was predicted that vibration silver-coated tracers illuminated by a laser would also counteract Marangoni convection. light sheet.The whole experiment was This was demonstrated for the first time in remotely controlled from the user’s home space by Dr. Cröll’s experiment in the second site in Naples via an ISDN-line. furnace. In this case, the melt of the growing Prof. Schwabe used a comb of crystal was vibrated at 4 kHz by a piezo- five thin thermocouples inserted oscillator with an amplitude of about 1.5 µm. into the bridge, plus four This produced a clear reduction in layering, and thermocouples in the mid-plane it is expected that higher vibration levels between the discs at different would be even more effective. angular positions.The flow field was visualised by tracer particles Crystallisation of Silicalite-1 illuminated by two perpendicular Prof. Martens (B) and his team looked at the laser light sheets and observed by aggregation of slab-shaped nanoparticles of three CCD cameras at different Silicalite-1 into bulk Zeolite. Zeolites are angles. commercially important, for instance, as Both experiments were catalysts in the petrochemical industry. successful and the continuing analysis is Tracer particles illuminated by laser revealed flow The ten furnaces each housed three sealed expected to yield valuable scientific results. patterns in the TEM 06-27 M 3 steel cartridges with 1 cm of concentrated liquid bridge.A thermocouple nanoslab suspensions at 30 bar pressure.The All of Maxus-4’s samples were safely at bottom pierces the liquid. samples were heated to different temperatures retrieved and its onboard data read out, between 145°C and 155°C.To ‘freeze’ the despite the crash landing and complete different aggregation steps for post-flight destruction of the payload following failure evaluation, the samples were quenched with of the recovery system. In addition, Maxus Zeolite was ‘grown’ in the 10 on Station sprayed water at various times during the began drifting westward about 7 s after furnaces of TEM 06-26 M. microgravity period. Preliminary results show launch, resulting in payload impact in (Astrium) - 19 that microgravity strongly influences the Norway; the Inquiry Board found aggregation speed, but it does not affect the that was caused by a temporary aggregation mechanism or the morphology of malfunction of one of the the obtained Zeolite. More detailed results are mechanical rate gyros in the expected when all the samples and flight data Guidance and Control Subsystem. have been evaluated. Recovery failed because the line to pull the main parachute was too Flows in Liquid Bridges weak and snapped. The other Maxus-4 experiments both ESA’s next microgravity investigated thermocapillary flow instabilities suborbital launch is Maser-9, in liquid bridges of silicon oil as models for planned for March 2002 carrying growing crystals by the floating zone method. five experiments. Maxus-5, An oil bridge was created between two discs, scheduled for November 2002, will and then a temperature difference was also perform five experiments. ■ on Station no. 7, december 2001 research TThehe DDestinestinyy RResearesearchch ofof EExpxpeditionedition--33

Graham T.Biddis On Station Contributing Writer

Introduction ER-2, is investigating the colloidal properties This review summarises the research activities of common materials, including food, paints aboard the US Destiny laboratory by the and coatings. A laser illuminates a melted Expedition-3 crew, who arrived with sample for a pair of colour cameras to Shuttle Discovery on 12 August During their record images at two 2001 and departed aboard occupation of the Space magnifications of the Endeavour in December. Station from August to arrangements of Frank Culbertson,Vladimir December 2001, the individual particles as Dezhurov and Mikhail Expedition-3 crew performed well as the larger Tyurin inherited a number of a wide range of scientific structures. experiments in Destiny from investigations... Interactions for studying their predecessors: crew and crew-ground team relationships during long-term space missions. The crew fills out a laptop questionnaire on aspects of their interactions with each other and ground controllers. Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM) uses a digital camera mounted in Destiny’s large window to enable thousands of students to photograph and examine Earth from an astronaut’s perspective.Via the Internet, they control the

on Station camera and post the photographs for public viewing. Human Research Facility (HRF) floor-to-ceiling rack to study and evaluate the physiological, behavioural and chemical changes in humans 20- caused by spaceflight.The Gas Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology Commander Frank Culbertson Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS), in Express (GASMAP) analyses metabolic function, with a syringe kit for the Rack (ER)-2, actively dampens vibrations.The cardiac output, lung diffusing capacity, lung Biotechnology Specimen ARIS ISS Characterization Experiment (ARIS- volume, pulmonary function and nitrogen Temperature Controller. (NASA) ICE) tests its performance. washout.The Ultrasound Imaging System Space Acceleration Measurement System II (Ultrasound) provides enlarged 3D images of (SAMS-II) in ER-2 measures vibrations that the heart and other organs, muscles and could degrade delicate microgravity blood vessels. experiments. HRF Hoffman Reflex (H-Reflex) measures the Microgravity Acceleration Measurements effects of weightlessness on spinal cord System (MAMS) is characterising the excitability. Surface electrodes are applied to microgravity environment along with SAMS, the soleus muscle in the sitting position, with but in ER-1 (without an ARIS). the knee at 120° and the foot at 90°.The Physics of Colloids in Space (PCS-TC1 & -AS), in stimulating electrode (part of the knee brace)

on Station no. 7, december 2001 The Phantom Torso in Destiny was returned aboard STS-105.(NASA)

ESA’s first experiment aboard the Station, the APCF was ESA’s first Advanced Protein Crystallisation Facility (APCF), experiment aboard the Space was transferred from the Shuttle middeck on Station. 14 August to Express Rack-1 in Destiny. Two hours later, at 16:02 UT, APCF was switched on and the pre-programmed sequence of activating the 38 reactors for growing protein crystals was started. Protein molecules are literally the substance of life.These vast arrays of atoms perform most of the important biochemical functions inside living cells. They store and carry biological information, they more about the intimate workings of life and act as catalysts in the hugely complex chemistry of synthesise proteins in the laboratory, which can life, and they provide membranes and cell walls. lead to dramatically effective drugs. But proteins Proteins are principally composed of amino acids, do not crystallise easily so the weightlessness of themselves made up of mainly carbon, hydrogen, the Station is being used to grow high-quality oxygen and nitrogen.There are relatively few crystals for X-ray studies on Earth. In addition, 3D possible amino acids, but they can arrange imaging inside the APCF is providing very precise themselves in an almost infinite number of ways, observations of every stage of the process.This creating huge molecules that loop and fold into new APCF experiment ran for more than 3 months, shapes of awesome complexity.The shape and longer than most previous attempts, for the structure of each protein is what creates its special samples to be returned aboard STS-108 in abilities. By mapping that structure, we can learn December.

is applied behind the knee to stimulate the Biotechnology Cellular operations Support posterior tibial nerve. System (BCSS), subrack modules provide HRF Radiation Experiment has four semi-automated bioreactors, gas supply, components: Power Supply (PS), Bonner Ball computer control and passive and low- Neutron Detector (BBND), Phantom Torso and temperature stowage. On Earth, most cultured Dosimetric Mapping Instrument (DOSMAP). cells form flat, thin specimens that do not Advanced Astroculture (ADVASC) was the first reveal how they work together. BCSS is an commercial experiment on the Station, to interim platform until the permanent determine whether seeds can be produced by Biotechnology Facility is delivered. plants grown from seeds in space. Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (BSTC), a BCSS element, housing up Expedition-3 began with the arrival and to 32 tissue culture modules at a carefully installation of ER-4 & -5, bringing the number controlled 36°C. of research racks to five.This crew began eight Gas Service Module (GSM), to support BCSS new experiments and continued 10. ER-5 operations. carries no payloads yet but is awaiting future on Station deliveries. ER-4 arrived with: Expedition-3 brought major new subrack payloads: - 21

ESA’s Advanced Protein Crystallisation Facility (see box) in ER-1 to grow samples of proteins that are key to many life processes.The larger and more perfect crystals could offer new insights into protein structure, with potential applications in medical and agricultural research. Dynamically Controlled Protein Crystal Growth (DCPCG) in ER-1 to control the crystallisation rate of biological samples. Using nitrogen gas, the scientist can adjust ‘Advanced Astroculture’is the the evaporation rate of the solution Station’s first commercial surrounding the forming crystals. Crystals experiment.(NASA) on Station no. 7, december 2001 research

grown in space may provide insights into numerous biological processes on Earth, with applications in medicine and agriculture. HRF Pulmonary Function in Flight (PuFF) to research changes in lung anatomy and performance in weightlessness.The focus is on measuring changes in the evenness of gas exchange in the lungs, and on detecting changes in respiratory muscle strength. Each PuFF session includes five lung function tests, which involve breathing only cabin air. Biotechnology Refrigerator (BTR) to support the BCSS.

Separate from the racks, Expedition-3 also brought: experiment outside the Station – Materials ISS HRF Urine Collection Kit (UCK), consists of a Experiments (MISSE) – during an EVA.Two Nomex container housing the Urine suitcase-sized packages contain experimental Collection Devices (UCD), Ziploc containment materials for solar cells, radiation shielding, bags, towelettes and gauze pads. paint, optical materials and lightweight HRF Renal Stone for observing changes in building materials are being exposed to the renal function and increased risk of kidney harsh environment of space for a year before stones induced by weightlessness. Beginning return to Earth for study. 3days before launch and continuing for 14 days after their return, the crew ingested two Expedition-2/3 Overlap Experiments potassium citrate pills (a proven Earth-based Expedition-3 research began with the crew therapy) or placebos daily and collected urine performing the Hoffman Reflex experiment, samples to learn repeating it a week later. During their first few whether the pills days, they began Dreamtime filming, using are effective. three tapes.They also started the Renal Stone Dreamtime experiment.Three experiments recorded Camera (DMTM), microgravity data during the Shuttle part of a public- undocking of 20 August. MAMS, SAMS and private NASA ARIS-ICE recorded the vibrations inside the partnership to Station caused by the separation of the two

on Station upgrade NASA’s spacecraft. ARIS-ICE captured the vibrations equipment to next- inside ER-2, as well as the response of the ARIS generation HDTV dampening system in the rack. ARIS-ICE technology.The further recorded the Station reboost and water crew recorded a dump later that week.The low-frequency 22- variety of activities vibrations from normal crew operations and for documentary, broad frequency vibrations from undocking, Working with DOSMAP. commercial, training, historical and and further measurements involving a (NASA) educational use. calibrated shaker, are defining ARIS’ ability to protect delicate microgravity experiments Payloads that returned with Discovery on from vibrations. 20 August included: Commercial Protein The crew continued with setting up DCPCG Crystal Growth (CPCG), completed during and BSTC in readiness for semi-automatic Expedition Two; HRF Phantom Torso; DOSMAP. operations. Photography targets were The science team reported that the two uplinked. delicate microgravity experiments (DCPCG & CPCG), which require precise temperature Expedition-3 Tended Experiments control, were without electrical power for only BSTC work continued with the crew preserving 4-5 min, well within the allowed 30 min. eight of the cultures by injecting a fixative into The STS-105 crew attached the first the samples.The cultures were transferred to

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Installing the MISSE box of experimental materials.(NASA)

Before some spacewalks, the astronauts tested themselves as part of the PuFF experiment, looking for lung changes caused by EVAs. The Dreamtime HDTV camera continued to be used for shooting documentary footage. Among the many HRF operations, the crew activated the rack for a regular 30-day health check using GASMAP.

Expedition-3 Untended Experiments The remote control of untended experiments aboard the Station is managed by the Payload Operations Center at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, assisted by teams at the BTR for storage. For the remaining cultures telescience centres around the still growing inside the incubator, the crew US. Scientists at the University three times replenished the nutrient media to of Alabama in Birmingham encourage cell growth. Before preserving the telescience centre are cultures, a Portable Clinical Blood Analyzer – monitoring biological crystals similar to those in use in hospitals – checked growing inside DCPCG. For the the health of the cells and growth media. As all first time, scientists on the 24 cultures grown on Expedition-3 were ground can see crystals eventually stored in the BTR, the incubator was growing in space and can turned off. In December, STS-108 delivered control the rate of crystal them to scientists on Earth and left behind formation. By growing larger, more cultures for Expedition-4 experiments. better-structured crystals, The new crew is again culturing kidney cells, scientists hope to learn more and leukemia cells will be grown on the Station about how these biochemicals for the first time. do their jobs in humans, The crew also finished their first Renal Stone animals and plants.The activities with the collection of urine samples. crystals were returned in They also completed initial activities on PuFF. December aboard STS-108. Further photography targets were uplinked, Early on, three 12 h runs including Typhoon Danas on the Japanese were made with PCS.Two coast, ice caps and snow in the high central calibrated the laser but the third provided the Setting up the Bonner Ball Andean glaciers, the Parana River basin in first deformation measurements of the Neutron Detector during South America, dust and smog in the colloidal glass sample.This lightly oscillated a Expedition-2.(NASA) Mediterranean basin, cresting Nile River floods crystallised sample while imaging the scattered on Station in Africa, and the effects of rains in the laser light.This determined the crystal’s shear Ethiopian plateau.The same week, they sent modulus, providing more information on the -23 down video of the smoke plume rising from nature of colloidal crystals being grown on the New York’s World Trade Center area following Station. the events of 11 September. The following runs focused on more detailed BTR was repacked to allow cold air to measurements of these and other samples, circulate more freely among the samples. The including a colloid polymer gel. science team was concerned the samples Additional untended experiments might be warming up. ARIS work included a monitored by science teams on the ground ‘hammer test’,when a crewmember tapped included MAMS, APCF,BCSS and MISSE. MAMS with a small mallet at various locations around was recording at high rate when Russia’s Pirs Destiny for the dampening device to react. Progress vehicle docked on 17 September. EarthKam targets included plate tectonics Characterising the Station’s environment is for a Kansas school, the habitat of migratory important to scientists for understanding the birds for a Japanese school, and rain forests for results of their experiments and for planning a Lousiana school. future experiments. ■ on Station no. 7, december 2001 education SStudentudentt EExpxpererimenimentsts onon ESAESA FFlighlightsts

Louise Jagger-Meziere,Martin Houston & Wubbo Ockels ESA Office for Education,ESTEC,Postbus 299,2202 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email: [email protected]

Student Parabolic Flight Campaign 2001 ESA’s Office for Education organises many space-related activities for young people in order to stimulate their interest in space and science. One of these activities is the annual Student Parabolic Flight Campaign (SPFC).The 4th campaign was held in Bordeaux, France during 11-27 July 2001.The flights were conducted at Novespace’s facilities at Enjoying weightlessness Bordeaux-Merignac airport, home to the Airbus during the 4th SPFC. A300 zero-g aircraft. From the many applications received, 31 groups found their own journalists who experiments were selected under the criteria of followed them throughout the application and originality, exploitation of selection processes and weightlessness, technical ESA continues its series of student eventually flew with simplicity and outreach experiment parabolic flights and them. Some 20 provided by the team.The for the first time prepares to fly European journalists winners showed student experiments in orbit... covered the campaign, imagination in scientific with 13 participating in domains ranging from the flights. animal and plant biology to fundamental Other outreach activities included creating physics and robotics.The experiments were their own web-pages, giving talks to local

on Station divided nationally between: schools, and publishing newspaper reports and articles in scientific magazines. Belgium 2 All four flights took place as planned despite France 5 bad weather in Bordeaux during the first week, Germany 3 although it did mean that the first set of 24 - Italy 8 parabolas had to be flown over Corsica in the Portugal 1 Mediterranean instead of the usual route over Spain 5 the Atlantic. Sweden 1 From the experience, two exceptional Switzerland 1 experiments were identified for flight on future United Kingdom 5

Each experiment team consisted of four students, with each experiment flying twice accompanied by two students.This led to 124 students from nine ESA Member States experiencing the amazing sensation of Participants in the 4th SPFC, weightlessness for themselves. July 2001.(All parabolic flight Students were asked to conduct outreach as photos by Anneke vd Geest) part of their selection process, and several

on Station no. 7, december 2001 Shower: studying water-droplet motion in an electric field.

indicate their interest in Foton from the very beginning of the process. For flight on Foton, however, there are major differences, particularly in mass, volume and power supply.The Foton outreach experiments must: –weigh less than 2.5 kg each; Flying Fish: using a light ESA ‘professional’ parabolic campaigns. One is –be fully autonomous (no external inputs to instead of gravity for the ‘Shower’ experiment from Darmstadt run the experiment); orientation. University (D), which observes the kinematic –cope with a temperature range of 10-30ºC; reactions of a water droplet in an electric field –be sustainable for at least 21 days; under microgravity conditions. Results from –activate itself once weightlessness begins (if this experiment are important for life aboard required); the International Space Station: optimal shower –withstand the 40 g shock on landing and design, humidity control and air conditioning. parachute deployment after reentry; The other is the ‘Flying Fishes’ experiment –have its data-recording facility and power from the University of Lund, Sweden, which supply (if required). investigates the ability of carp to orient –fit within the standard Type III boxes: 174.5 themselves in microgravity using a light source. long x 105.5 high x 123.5 wide (mm). This experiment was considered to be important enough to fly again in ESA’s 31st Three of these boxes are available for the parabolic campaign, in the following October. Education programme, allowing three student The ultimate goal is to allow fishes to live teams to be chosen.The experiments will almost normally in space as a food source for experience the same environmental conditions astronauts. as the rest of the hardware inside the The next ESA Student Parabolic Flight recoverable capsule. Campaigns is planned for July 2002. How to ESA is covering the flight apply and further information can be found at cost (sponsored by the http://www.estec.esa.nl/outreach/pfc/ Microgravity Programme) and the qualification and testing, if Outreach Experiments on Foton-M1 shared with other Foton Linked with the parabolic campaign is the experiments.The fabrication opportunity for student experiments to fly on of the experiments Russia’s Foton-M1 mission in October 2002. themselves has to be sponsored by industry and/or universities, but will be supported by the Education Office through A student from Pisa limited sponsorship and funding. University (I) working on the The three winning experiments are: ‘Yeast’experiment. on Station Resistance: to investigate whether space conditions affect the action of several - 25 antibiotics against the bacterium Pseudomonas Fluorescens (Edinburgh The student experiments on Foton-M1 will look similar to University, UK); these autonomous Chondro: to grow cartilage from its basic cells experiments on Foton-12 (chondrocytes) in microgravity (Swiss (foreground boxes). Institute of Technology); Although ESA has been using Foton since 1987 Crystal: to grow protein crystals in order to for its scientific experiments, this is the first investigate the effect of gravity on the state time the Agency has offered 7 kg of its payload change from solution to crystal lattice capacity to students. (University of York, UK). The parabolic campaign was used for pre- selecting suitable Foton experiments. A parallel More information on the Foton opportunity Announcement of Opportunity was launched is available on the dedicated webpage: http:// with the 4th SPFC, enabling students to www.estec.esa.nl/outreach/pfc/Default.htm ■ on Station no. 7, december 2001 iss SSeeingeeing isis BBelieelieving!ving!

John Lockere Netherlands Email: [email protected]

Seeing the ISS obtain a list of visible passes for your part of It rises out of the west and sets in the east. It is the world. the brightest ‘star’ in the sky and moves at At first sight, the Station looks like a slowly 7.8 km/s.To see it in its glory is an moving star, quite dim at first but growing in unforgettable experience. brightness. Depending This is the International We are often asked how the ISS on the conditions and Space Station (ISS) and it can be seen and photographed. the Station’s attitude, it could be passing over you Enthusiast John Locker shows can grow to magnitude right now. how easy it is... –5 or so: the brightest The ISS already weighs in object in the night sky at more than 100 t and its solar panels extend after the Moon (which reaches up to –9). to about 40 m, so it is easy to With a steady hand, 8x30 binoculars reveal the rough shape of the complex. But

The ISS photographed with a see – and photograph – given the right digital video camera on a conditions and if you know where to look. at x8 magnification and a small field software-controlled 25 cm- At a height of 400 km, the ISS passes over of view, your target is moving very fast. aperture Meade reflector.The images cover a time period of Europe four or five times every day.The orbital 5min.(Mike Tyrrell) inclination of 51.6° means that most of the Photographing the ISS inhabited world gets to see this wonderful icon Anyone who has tried photographing the of international cooperation and technology. night sky knows that stars show up as streaks When can you see it? Your sky has to be dark even after only a few minutes unless an

on Station enough while the Sun is still lighting up the appropriate equatorial mount and motor are modules and solar arrays. In other words, the used.To photograph the Station, it is worth Station has to pass close to you soon before experimenting with a number of methods. dawn and after sunset. Predicting the orbital For a basic exposure of the sky, no tracking path of satellites is a complicated business but, device is needed: a fixed camera with a 28- 26 - thanks to readily available software and access 40 mm lens will suffice. Away from city light to the Internet, in reality it is simple.There are pollution, place the camera on a sturdy tripod some excellent PC programmes that give and point towards the part of the sky where graphical representations of orbital craft in real time. Alternatively check the ‘Heavens Above’ site (see the website box). Log in your location and you can

The ISS imaged by Ulrich Beinert over Kromberg,Germany at 02:05 UT 31 May 2001, using a Logitech QuickCam on a 9cm-aperture telescope guided by hand.

on Station no. 7, december 2001 The ISS photographed with a digital video camera and 25 cm telescope.(Mike Tyrrell/Phil Masding)

Web References the Station will peak. Leave the lens open Visible pass predictions for your location: http://freespace.virgin.net/philip. during the pass using the ‘B’ shutter facility, http://www.heavens-above.com/ masding/index.htm with an aperture of f/2.8 and focused on (includes VRML simulations of ISS passes) Quick Cam and Unconventional Imaging infinity.This should produce a clear bright trace Astronomy Group: SATBUSTER satellite software: across the exposure. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/qcuiag http://www.satbuster.com/ With a telescope of 90 mm aperture or Examples of webcam astrophotography: Updated Keplerian Elements: more, things can get really interesting. http://www.djcash.demon.co.uk/ http://celestrak.com/NORAD/ However, using a frame camera/telescope astro/webcam/spacecraft.htm elements/stations.txt http://www.analemma.de/ english/ccdsatel.html NASA ISS tracking site: http://www.btinternet.com/ http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/ ~mikejtyrrell/iss.htm realdata/tracking/index.html

processing software and examples of satellite and planetary images.

Tracking the ISS The author’s set-up for If you decide to track the Station on your own recording the ISS and other PC, I suggest the versatile SATBUSTER satellites.A webcam sits in the eyepiece holder of a programme, written by Paolo Cosetti. A free 15 cm-aperture f/8 reflector. demonstration version is available at the listed The images are recorded on site.To ensure accurate tracking, current standard video tape. Keplerian Elements can be downloaded. combination to track a speeding target at a magnification of 50 or more can be tricky and is perhaps best left to dedicated enthusiasts. Fortunately, there is a relatively inexpensive solution that gives far more control over your results. A basic webcam or CCTV security camera can easily be converted to sit in the eyepiece holder of a conventional telescope.This way, whatever the telescope sees can be copied straight to the hard drive of your laptop/PC or to video tape.The advantage is that instead of spending €900 or more on a dedicated Astro- CCD camera, the converted webcam gives acceptable results at a tenth of the cost. Hold the ISS centred on the crosshairs of the on Station finderscope, hit the camera record button and away you go. Do not be surprised if you find - 27 nothing at all when you review your first For Europe, the current visible evening Shuttle Discovery (STS-92; attempts.Tracking the speeding Station is not passes run through to mid-December. After fainter trail towards top) easy, but get it right and the results can be that, it will be February before we see it in the precedes the ISS by about 20° after undocking, 21 October spectacular – it is amazing how much detail evening sky again. However, early birds can see 2000.Canon T70, 28mm lens, can be seen.The key is perfect tracking. it in the morning skies during January 2002. exposure 2 min at f/2.8, The best frames on your tape/PC drive can Check ‘Heavens Above’ for the latest Kodak Elite Chrome 100. then be processed using astrophotography information. software. A number of websites specialise in In the clear frosty air of winter, the this type of imaging. A good starting point is International Space Station is an awe-inspiring the Quick Cam and Unconventional Imaging sight. It is like seeing an old friend pass by, and Astronomy Group, which has excellent it is strange to think that the crew are going Frequently-Asked-Questions and archive about their daily tasks inside that tiny speck of sections. Included are tutorials on how to light. convert your webcam, where to look for free Clear skies and happy viewing! ■ on Station no. 7, december 2001 On Station For a free subscription or change of address, please contact ISSN 1562-8019 Frits de Zwaan at [email protected]

The Newsletter of ESA’s Directorate ESA Publications Division/SER-CP of Manned Spaceflight & Microgravity ESTEC, Postbus 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Fax: +31 71 565-5433 This newsletter is published by ESA Publications Division. Editor: Andrew Wilson ([email protected]) It is free to all readers interested in ESA’s manned Contributing Writer: Graham T. Biddis spaceflight and microgravity activities. It can also be ESA Photographer: Anneke van der Geest seen via the website at http://esapub.esrin.esa.it/ Design & Layout: Eva Ekstrand & Carel Haakman

in this issue 8th European Symposium foreword on Life Sciences Research 2001: A Good Year - But Hard Work Lies Ahead in Space Jörg Feustel-Büechl columbus Columbus is On its Way! 4 23rd Annual International Eugenio Gargioli & Dino Brondolo Gravitational Physiology mfc Microgravity Facilities 6 Meeting for Columbus Giuseppe Reibaldi lse First LSE Deliveries 8 Aldo Petrivelli astronauts New Russian Flight 10 Opportunities for ESA Jean-Pierre Haigneré www.spaceflight.esa.int/users/symposium atv ATV Testing Begins 12 Robert Lainé & Patrice Amadieu ground segment ESA’s Manned Spaceflight 14 Ground Segment Wim van Leeuwen maxus Maxus-4: Mission Accomplished 18 Wolfgang Herfs research The Destiny Research of 20 Expedition-3 Graham T. Biddis 2-7 June 2002 education Karolinska Institutet Student Experiments on 24 Stockholm, Sweden on ESA Flights Louise Jagger-Meziere et al. iss Seeing is Believing! 26 John Locker