Operations and Utilisation → Microgravity Science Accommodation & Transport Utilisation Scenario The MSG rack was launched in passive mode inside the The MSG facility has been built for a projected operational Multi Purpose Logistics Module LEONARDO during ISS use of ten years on-orbit and is currently accommodated in glovebox (MSG) flight UF-2 on 5 June 2002. It was then moved to its the Destiny laboratory. location in the Destiny laboratory, where it was subject to Class 100,000 protected environment experiment facility the on-orbit commissioning. After successful conclusion of Background this phase, it was ready to start its operational life. The design and development of the MSG has evolved substantially from the former Spacelab and Middeck The Microgravity Science Glovebox is an International Standard Payload Rack size facility where experiments in the field of Experiments can be launched/retrieved within stowage Gloveboxes that have been flown on numerous Space material science, biotechnology, fluid science, combustion science and crystal growth research can be conducted in a closed drawers (EXPRESS Racks or Re-supply/Stowage Racks) or Shuttle missions and on the Mir space station. and protected environment. Shuttle Middeck Lockers. During certain MSG operations (such as cleaning of the working volume, filters change Significant enhancements include a substantially larger out) the experiments can be stored temporarily within working volume to house bigger experiments, increased Working volume MSG or other racks stowage drawers. power availability, enhanced diagnostics and data control, Control and Monitoring Panel and temperature and humidity control. International Operational Concept Standard Payload Rack The MSG can operate in an open mode, with air circulating The MSG has been designed as a modular multi-user facility from the working volume to the MSG rack interior and for performing a wide variety of materials, combustion, in a closed mode, with air circulating within the MSG fluids and biotechnology investigations in the microgravity working volume only. Further, the MSG has the capability environment. Primarily it provides an enclosed and sealed to maintain in the working volume an inert atmosphere Work Volume equipped with lighting, mechanical, electrical, with dry nitrogen such that the oxygen volume is kept data, gas and vacuum connections, and thermal control. equal or less than 10%. The Working Volume is provided with built-in glove ports The MSG also accommodates ISS laboratory support for safe handling by the crew and isolates the item under equipment such as general purpose tools, fluid handling investigation from the operator area and the general ISS tools, cleaning equipment, mass measurement devices, environment. An attached Airlock allows specimens and a pH-meter, dissecting microscope and supplies, digital tools to be inserted or removed during MSG operations with multi-meters and compound microscope. limited environmental exchange between the Working Apart from the equipment required for the general upkeep Volume and the ISS cabin. The MSG will also accommodate of the working volume, a significant amount of resources minor repair/servicing of hardware requiring a clean and/ is available for scientific investigations. or an encapsulated working environment.

The MSG offers many different command and control In addition to the flight unit, there are three ground units; capabilities to allow the performance of investigations the Ground Laboratory Unit, the Training Unit and the attended or not attended by the crew. Engineering Unit, all of which have been used extensively Airlock for experiment development and crew training. In the local mode, the crew can introduce commands via Stowage the Control and Monitoring Panel and, in some cases and To assist potential investigators, an MSG Investigation Drawer for a limited set of commands, also through the Internal Integration Team has been established based at the Control Panel inside the working volume. Marshall Space Flight Center in the US. This team oversees Stowage Drawer the interface and safety requirements, the schedule for • In the remote mode, commanding is possible via: meeting ISS template milestones, the administrative Remote Power • MLC, which can be hooked up to the MSG internal MIL support for documenting interfaces to the MSG facility, Video drawer Distribution Assembly 1553 Bus at the MSG front panel. A subset of non- and the investigation manifesting, analytical integration, safety related commands is available. and flight operations. It also supports the investigation • MLC (MSG Laptop Computer) connected to the ISS MIL development teams in ensuring that the engineering 1553 Bus, out of MSG. interfaces to the MSG and ISS are met. • US Lab System via the Payload MDM. • Ground commands, which are accepted in parallel to Schedule controls via the Control and Monitoring Panel. This The MSG for the ISS completed its development and mode would also allow unattended operations for verification in Europe in October 2001, and was integrated Foot restraint non-hazardous investigations or unattended stand by into the Multi Purpose Logistics Module LEONARDO on 1 control. March 2002. The facility was launched aboard the Space Utility Interface Shuttle on Utilisation Flight UF-2 on 5 June 2002, and Panel underwent commissioning shortly afterwards. The facility is now available for experiments, and will PROJECT: International provide the ISS with a unique and multidisciplinary Space Station laboratory support capability for at least 10 years. TITLE: Microgravity DOCUMENT N°: REV. Science Glovebox ESA-HSO-COU-014 2.0 Illustrations: ESA/D. Illustrations: Ducros ESA/D. ERASMUS Centre - Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations http://erasmus.spaceflight.esa.int 850 1046 on the left part of the back wall. interfaces is in addition to the fully hardwired command 750 The intensity of illumination in the working volume can possibility via the drawer front panel switches and the be varied and a dedicated Spotlight is available. individual local command functions on the recorder, Facility Description An investigation cold plate embedded in the floor of the monitor and camera units themselves. working volume allows the removal of up to 800 W from the baseplate of the investigations. MSG Data Handling System The Microgravity Science Glovebox system architecture is The working volume is a large confined volume of 255 varied and a dedicated Spotlight is available. interfaces is in addition to the fully hardwired command The Airlock provides access to the working volume and The standard payload computer interfaces with the MIL built around the core facility, hosting the investigations litres offering two levels of containment for investigations. An investigationto the investigations cold plate and embedded provides access in the tofloor contained of the possibility via the drawer front panel switches and the in the working volume and providing them with all the The first level is achieved by the physical wall barrier and working volume allows the removal of up to 800 W from individual1553 bus local of ISS, command acting as a functions remote terminal on the versus recorder, specimens for the investigations and laboratory support the ISS Payload computer. 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1580 and electronics for control, housekeeping and investiga- made of Lexan and allows for a wide view angle to is able to transfer a maximum 125 W of heat to the The Control and Monitoring Panel and the Electronics tion resources. the operator. MSG Cooling: internal air-cooling loop.up The to 200 video W by assembly air has a box are the heart of the facility and control the basic up to 800 W by cold plate The command and monitoring panel monitors the facility The window and the lateral panels can be covered with dedicated controller that allows the user to command the glove box functions. Detailed parameter setting and status and performance and provides all means for the dedicated stray light covers when required. Investigations video system via an input device that is connected to the control is performed via the information and control manual operation of MSG by the crew. can be bolted both on the working volume bottom and RS-422 serial interface or via the touchpad. centre, which consists basically of a menu driven display The functionality provided through these digital and a keypad. 432 View of the Microgravity Science Glovebox ESA astronaut Frank de Winne working (MSG) with the SPHERECharacteristics experiment inside. in the Microgravity Science Glovebox Working volume: 255 litres

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Core Facility and to fix accessories. The fully extended position will ) not be used nominally for routine operations to avoid a Gaseous Nitrogen: yes The Core Facility occupies the upper half of the overall permanent protrusion in the ISS module aisle. rack and includes the large working volume, an Airlock The entire window surface of the working volume is Vacuum and venting: yes and electronics for control, housekeeping and investiga- made of Lexan and allows for a wide view angle to tion resources. the operator. Cooling: up to 200 W by air The command and monitoring panel monitors the facility The window and the lateral panels can be covered with up to 800 W by cold plate status and performance and provides all means for the dedicated stray light covers when required. Investigations manual operation of MSG by the crew. can be bolted both on the working volume bottom and