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number 3, july 2000 on station The Newsletter of the Directorate of Manned and Microgravity

in this issue

foreword WWee AArree OnOn OurOur WWaay!y! We Are On Our Way! Jörg Feustel-Büechl Jörg Feustel-Büechl ESA Director of Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity

eac Starting Point for Space 3 Zvezda Launch Successful recent & relevant The most important events recently News 6 for everyone involved in the International Space Station were the launch of the space station ‘Zvezda’ on 12 July and the Space Station Synergy 10 docking with the Station on 26 July. Zvezda Saverio Lioy brings with it increased stability in the overall Space Station assembly sequence. microgravity For ESA in particular, the launch was important for three European Dipping into Microgravity 12 aspects.The European onboard Data Management System (DMS) is working well – the Russians tell us it is operating flawlessly and that they are very pleased with the system. Our Automated Transfer research Vehicle (ATV) will use Zvezda to dock with the Station beginning in ESA’s Life & Physical Sciences 14 2003 so the launch is a decisive step forward for us. Last, but not Research in Space least, is the use of Zvezda as an experiment platform, especially for Marc Heppener our early experiments.We already have two under preparation: ‘Matroshka’ will measure radiation absorption by humans in space, microgravity particularly during spacewalks, and the Global Time System (GTS) Texus Successes 16 commercial experiment will allow the synchronisation of ground- Wolfgang Herfs based clocks as well as many other time-dependent services. The launch was monitored by ESA from Baikonur, Moscow and space station – premiered for its very first live occasion – the Erasmus User Center ESA’s Laboratory Support 18 here at ESTEC. A Heads of Agency meeting followed in Moscow, with Equipment Programme all participants in the International Space Station programme Aldo Petrivelli echoing their pleasure at the success. And what comes next? There will be a number of Station launches later this year, with the most notable taking up the first Return to Earth 20 crew at the end of October or early November. As this ‘Expedition-1’ is the first permanent crew, it is the beginning of manned operations focus on and utilisation of the Space Station. ESA’s Houston Office 22 Further coverage of Zvezda’s launch is provided on p6 of this Helmut Heusmann issue, in the Recent & Relevant news pages.

Directorate of Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity Direction des Vols Habité et la Microgravité foreword

Space Station Exploitation Programme third route is to do the job within the EAC is now fully established.We have The Exploitation Programme for ESA Agency through several industrial concluded agreements with DLR and comprises two elements: contracts.This could be a bridging CNES and should soon do so with ASI, industrialisation of operations and the solution if we are not ready to make a with the goal of consolidating our forces commercialisation of utilisation.We have decision by the end of this year.Why the for implementing the technical tasks at been working these issues since the end of this year? Because we have EAC.We now have some 60 people in Ministerial Conference in May promised the Council to come forward EAC, including 16 astronauts, preparing 1999 and have made good in with a concept for commercial utilisation for the Space Station era and we will soon both. by then so that it will be in place when see the arrival of the first training tools for A crucial step for the industrialisation the Exploitation Programme begins in our astronauts and the International of operations was the high-level 2002. Partner astronauts.We expect that the commitment from the Astrium (D)-led centre will satisfy our Station obligations industrial group.The group comprises all ATV Progressing and needs. In addition, we are always the major players in the development of ESA has contracted looking for further bilateral flight our Space Station elements: Alenia with opportunities with the Americans and the Aerospazio, Matra Marconi Space (now for the launch of Russians before Station assembly is part of Astrium), and Aerospatiale Matra nine ATVs: one complete. Lanceurs.We were very pleased to see development flight of Ariane-5 that the ESA Council in March endorsed with ATV, and eight operational Crew Rescue Vehicle Status our approach to this industrialisation of flights fulfilling our obligations to Europe’s contribution to the Crew Rescue operations. Following the Industrial contribute to Station operations.That Vehicle (CRV) is developing in a very Policy Committee (IPC) meeting in June, contract was signed in June (see the positive way. Although we were not the procurement process has begun and Recent & Relevant new pages) and will certain when we began last year of I am pleased to say that the IPC is highly eventually be folded into the industrial achieving even a €40 million satisfied with and unanimously agrees operations contract. It was important to contribution, we are now approaching a with our procurement approach.We are sign it now in order to safeguard the very satisfactory €150 million. More and now entering into the proposal development launch in 2003/2004. A more interest is being shown in the preparation phase with a view to having major goal has been achieved by practical aspects of reentry technology a contract ready before the actual combining the benefit of an early maiden within CRV.We hope to consolidate the Exploitation Programme starts on launch with the economies of scale from contribution situation very soon in order 1 January 2002. purchasing nine launches.The contract is to establish solid European participation We have also made good progress certainly the biggest ever signed by the under a barter arrangement with NASA. with commercialising Station utilisation, Agency – more than €1 billion. It also The CRV has a although the situation here is more supports Arianespace in their promotion very special

on Station heterogeneous. Awarding financially of Ariane-5 and its place in the role as a beneficial contracts to industry is one commercial launcher market. lifeboat – it thing, but expecting industry to As far as ATV development is will be needed as generate the money is far more difficult. concerned, we are now in a critical period long as there is a Space Station in It will consequently take some time to with the Preliminary Design Review orbit. It will also allow Europe to develop 2- come up with the right approach, so we planned for conclusion in October. ATV, as reentry technologies, important not only are looking at the following three routes. an extremely complex and demanding for CRV but also for future manned The first would award the project, requires the full attention of spaceflight and launcher projects. commercialisation industry and the Agency.This is contract to a accentuated by the ever-increasing Industrial Day commercial interest from the International Partners in ESA will be holding an Industrial Day on agent or ATV’s vital role in servicing and 20 September for the European industrial business reboosting the Space Station. participants to continue discussing developer. For progress on the Space Station that, we launched a Call for Interest in European Centre Anniversary programme. In addition to the progress June (see the Recent & Relevant news We celebrated the tenth anniversary of reports, this year’s theme will be pages) that should produce positive EAC in Cologne (D) on 17 May in the ‘Transition from Development to results.The second would award it to the presence of all our astronauts (see the Exploitation – A Challenge for Industry industrial operator and combine it with article beginning on p3). I must say that and ESA’.We plan to cover the event in the industrial operations contract.The this was a wonderful event. It showed that On Station #4 later this year.

on Station no. 3, july 2000 SStartartingting PPoinointt fforor SSpacpacee ESA’’s European Astronaut Centre

Introduction Integration of the Member State national The roots of ESA’s European Astronaut Centre astronauts into a single European astronaut (EAC) reach back to 1977 when the Agency’s corps, started in 1998, is now complete with first four astronauts were chosen, after a the roster of 11 flown astronauts and five pre-selection process by the Member States, to rookies. EAC’s staff total will be almost 60 by train for the the end of this year when the integration of As EAC enters its second -1 national agency staff that began in March is decade of training mission. After that completed.The German, French and Italian astronauts, On Station highly successful space agencies will contribute up to 30 writer Graham Biddis multi-disciplinary seconded staff. reviews its history and international capabilities... mission landed in EAC Training Division December 1983, The Centre provides basic, advanced and US President Ronald Reagan announced the ‘increment-specific’ training. Basic training is Space Station project and invited the active the responsibility of each International Space participation of Europe, Japan and Canada. Station partner for its own astronauts, and for Europe simultaneously began its own ESA this is performed at EAC. Advanced and ambitious programme encompassing the increment-specific training on ESA space Columbus Programme with the Attached elements (Columbus and Automated Transfer Pressurised Module for the Space Station, the Vehicle) and payloads will be provided at EAC Man-Tended Free-Flyer, the serviceable Polar for all ISS astronauts. Specific training on ESA Platform and the manned spaceplane. elements and payloads for Space Station In order to satisfy this long-term need for ‘increments’ (the periods astronauts, ESA established the EAC in Cologne aboard the Station (D).The Centre was formally created in May between on Station 1990, when the Host Agreement was signed Shuttle between ESA and the German national -3 authorities. EAC rapidly became the home base for all European astronauts following the selection of six astronaut candidates in 1992. Hermes, Free-Flyer and Polar Platform had been cancelled by then, and EAC focused on supporting ESA astronauts assigned to Space Station precursor missions aboard Shuttle/Spacelab and . The training programme was developed in close cooperation with NASA and ’s visits) will centre on EAC for ISS crews. EAC Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, and training will begin about 2 years before initially applied to the payload training for the Columbus launch in 2004, with about 70 ISS -94/95 missions. astronauts graduating each year.

on Station no. 3, july 2000 eac

ESA astronaut assignments and collateral duties Jean-François Clervoy (F) JSC: ISS display integration in Space Station Operations Branch Claudie André-Deshays (F) EAC: Microgravity Facilities for Columbus, supports medical operational and life science activities within D/MSM (E) ESTEC: supporting the Module Project Division for Columbus (D) EAC: supporting the training system build-up for ESA elements and payloads Léopold Eyharts (F) JSC: Mission Specialist training; collateral duties on Russian vehicles (/Progress) and ISS Flight Crew Systems (S) JSC: prime Support Astronaut for 2nd Station crew (I) JSC: training for STS-100 Multi-Purpose Logistics Module flight (February 2001) André Kuipers (NL) ESTEC: Microgravity Payloads Division, coordinating scientific development inputs for MARES and ARMS (I) JSC: Mission Specialist training; collateral duties in computer-based training, onboard training and system tests on ESA elements and payloads (CH) JSC: EVA Instructor in EVA Branch (D) EAC: supporting ERA and ATV projects (D) JSC: Mission Specialist training; collateral duties in mechanical, structural systems and crew equipment (D) EAC: mission control capcom in JSC astronaut corps (F) JSC: ISS Robotics Branch supporting MBS and ERA (I) JSC: Mission Specialist training; collateral duties in Shuttle system upgrades (B) ESTEC: X-38/Crew Rescue Vehicle projects in human engineering and man-machine interfaces ARMS: Advanced Respiratory Monitoring System. ERA: . EVA: Extra-Vehicular Activity. JSC: NASA . MARES: Muscle Atrophy Research.and Exercise System. MBS: Mobile Base System (for ISS robot arm) NASA Johnson Space Center.

EAC’s training facilities include a training hall, a standalone training models for , Fluid ESA’s astronaut corps (from neutral buoyancy facility, physical fitness Science Laboratory, European Physiology left): Schlegel, Guidoni, rooms, classrooms, supporting model Modules, European Drawer Rack and European De Winne,Thiele,Fuglesang workshops, trainer control rooms and Stowage Rack, and a high-fidelity mechanical (obscured), Ewald, André- refreshment areas.The complex will be Columbus mockup with Orbital Replacement Deshays, Clervoy,Tognini, Nicollier,Vittori, Eyharts, progressively outfitted with a Columbus Trainer Units for realistic maintenance training. ESA’s Duque,Reiter,Kuipers and incorporating high-fidelity man-machine Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) training Nespoli. interfaces with simulated functionality, facilities will also be hosted at EAC for crews to learn how to handle the pressurised cargo,

on Station along with the ATV rendezvous and docking simulator for pilot training. The neutral 4- buoyancy facility will allow scuba-diving astronauts to gain experience moving Station experiment racks around in simulated .The tank has already seen active service preparing for space walks and practising the deployment of wings on the Mir station.

on Station no. 3, july 2000 example, life sciences experiments. Based at the Mission Control Centres, they act as ground- based ombudsmen for the crew with the scientists and payload operators.They are presently based in Cologne but, when the Station is occupied, they will spend extended periods in JSC and Star City as part of the consolidated ISS Crew Surgeon Team. The Biomedical Engineers bridge the gap Scenes... between the centre’s medical and engineering activities.Their knowledge of flight vehicle systems and operational medical practices enables them to provide ‘backroom’ support to the flight surgeons during astronaut training and missions. In addition, they coordinate all medical documentation and the medical operations interfaces with the ESA internal and external offices. from... With the growing need for better communications in the Station’s global environment, especially for onboard operations, EAC is regularly reviewing new 17 May 2000: Head of EAC begins the 10th technologies, including telemedicine, secure anniversary celebration of the European Astronaut Centre. data access to medical data and secure global medical data transport, through cooperative activities with all Station partners. Medical EAC also provides astronauts with technologies from ground-based clinical computer-based training to use when they are environments continue to be assessed for the 10th... away from home base or in space.The onboard application. portability standards between the various EAC and its astronauts will increasingly be Station partners for this are now being employed in transferring related innovations to assessed multilaterally. Multi-point video terrestrial applications in health care and teleconferencing facilities continue to support physical fitness promotion. the ‘teletraining’ that began with the preparations for ESA’s two flight aboard Mir. EAC Astronaut Division The Astronaut Division is responsible for the EAC Medical Office flight assignment, collateral duty assignment, The Medical Office provides a wide spectrum proficiency maintenance, career planning and anniversary... of crew support. It is responsible for medical support for each astronaut during training, issues during crew selections and astronauts’ mission and post-flight activities.The current on Station active careers, and provides the annual medical assignment of each astronaut is shown in the examinations for continuing flight certification. table. -5 The infrastructure supports the astronauts and their families with, for example, nutritional Exciting Outlook for EAC advice, physical fitness regimes and human EAC is evolving towards an operational centre behavioural training for long-duration to provide training for the Station’s European missions. During tours of duty aboard the contributions in synchronisation with the ISS Station – lasting about 3 months – family build-up. By combining experienced staff from celebration. teleconferencing and counselling will be ESA and Member State national agencies, and provided. serving as the home base for the European EAC has three certified flight surgeons who astronaut corps, EAC is becoming an important represent the Agency on the various Space entity within the manned space world.This Station medical boards.The flight surgeons multi-national team provides an excellent basis have a valuable role in closely monitoring for future European and international manned astronaut health during hazardous operations missions to the International Space Station and when the crew is subjected to, for and, later, into deeper space. on Station no. 3, july 2000 recent & relevant Recent & Relevant New Star in Orbit

Assembly of the properly and then oriented the pressure International Space Station can now module to minimise propellant usage between the continue apace following the while allowing the solar arrays to modules to successful docking of the Zvezda gather sunlight.They reconfigured ensure an (‘star’) Service Zvezda’s attitude sensors and airtight seal, and Module on 26 July. activated its star trackers. then began the work to transfer Zvezda is the first Two test-firings of the control of most Station functions from fully Russian Station manoeuvring engines during 13 July to Zvezda. In particular, Zvezda element and is the showed that Zvezda was ready to assumed responsibility for attitude cornerstone for the begin the long journey to the waiting control and reboost. Soyuz, Progress early permanent Zarya/Unity complex in its 376 km and ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle occupation of the complex. As a result orbit. The first two major rendezvous will dock with its aft port. Many of the of the new module’s arrival, the first burns using the two 3070 N main systems aboard Zarya are deactivated long-stay crew is expected aboard by engines were made on 14 July. and this first module now provides early November. Beginning at 05:09 UT, the orbit was primarily propellant storage and Zvezda’s ‘brain’ is raised to 183×358 km and then, equipment stowage. ESA’s Data starting at 05:44 UT, to 269×361 km. What happens next? Zvezda’s Management The firings were so accurate that a success means there will be a rapid System (DMS-R) correction burn scheduled for 15 July sequence of missions in the near which, ultimately, was not required. Attitude control future.The first supply ferry, will perform overall continued to be provided by 16 of the Progress-M1, is planned for launch on control of all Russian station elements, small, 130 N thrusters. 6 August from Baikonur, docking with and guidance and navigation for the On 17 July, final tests verified the Zvezda 2 days later. Shuttle mission whole Station. Zvezda is also carrying full operation of the software that STS-106/2A.2b will dock with Unity in hardware for the manages Zvezda’s guidance system. September to continue preparations first European Routine cycling of the five batteries for the first permanent crew.They will experiment aboard began; the final three will be delivered also unload the Progress. STS-92/3A in the Station: the by September’s mission. October will deliver the first Truss Global Time System Zarya on 18 July practised the final section (Z1), four Control Moment will broadcast two orbits leading up to docking Gyros and a second conical docking NASA accurate time and using its Kurs automatic control adapter.The first dedicated Station data signals to users on Earth. system. For this final approach, Zarya crew of (Expedition Zvezda was launched on 12 July at was the active partner. Commander), (Soyuz

on Station 04:56 UT from the Baikonur Zvezda made its first correction Commander) and Cosmodrome, aboard a burn on 20 July, firing the two main (Flight Engineer) will appear aboard -K . It was released 580 s engines for 15 s to change its orbit to the Station’s first Soyuz in early later by Proton’s third stage into an 290×361 km. A day before docking, it November.This ‘Expedition-1’ crew will initial 185×356 km orbit inclined at manoeuvered to the docking stay aboard for about 4 months, 6- 51.6° to the equator. For the next orientation and the solar arrays activating Station systems and the 6 min, Zvezda automatically deployed rotated into their docking attitude. first experiments, and making the first the Kurs rendezvous/docking system The Kurs rendezvous system was and Lira communications system activated on 25 July and, with Zarya in antennas, released the solar wings control, the Station caught up with (which immediately began tracking Zvezda. Docking came at 00:45 UT the Sun) and activated the power, 26 July. It then took about 25 min for thermal, command & data handling, the hooks and latches on the two communications and life support modules to close fully for the hard systems. mating. During Zvezda’s first four passes Over the next 16-24 hours, mission over the Russian ground stations, controllers planned to monitor the air controllers in the TsUP Mission Control Centre in Korolyov, near Moscow, first Zvezda launch:TV coverage from ESTEC’s Erasmus User verified that all systems were working Centre.

on Station no. 3, july 2000 Recent & Relevant

spacewalks EPM Set for Next Phase from Zvezda’s forward airlock. ESA’s European Physiology Modules physiology, and endocrinology and STS-97/4A in (EPM) facility began its Preliminary metabolism.These science modules November will Design Review at the end of July, can be replaced by new units during add the first pair of aiming to begin Phase-C/D in the Space Station’s lifetime.The first giant solar arrays, paving the way February 2001. EPM is one of ESA’s set is being funded by ESA and for STS-98/5A in January 2001 to four major research facilities being national space agencies and research attach the first science module: developed under the institutes from , Destiny. STS-102/5A.1 in February Microgravity Facilities , and 2001 will carry Europe’s Multi Purpose for Columbus (MFC) . Logistics Module with supplies and programme, to be EPM will be collocated in experiment racks for Destiny.The launched to the Columbus with NASA’s Expedition-1 crew will return to Earth International Space Human Research Facility so aboard that Shuttle, swapping with Station aboard that experiments benefit the Expedition-2 crew of Yuri Columbus in late from the combined Usachev, and Jim Voss. 2004. It provides the instrumentation. The Soyuz craft will remain attached infrastructure and The industrial to the Station as a lifeboat. science modules for consortium developing numerous EPM is led by OHB Systems Do You Want to See the Space Station? experiments on (D).The Critical Design Then go to http://www.heavens- human physiology in Review is planned for above.com/ and it will show you weightlessness, initially November 2001, when the Space Station is next visible for neuroscience, the EPM will host a set of replaceable followed by the Final from your location. cardiovascular system, physiology research modules. Acceptance Review in bone and muscle (ESA/D. Ducros) November 2002.

New Foton Mission meteorite samples will be carried on costs paid by ESA, Ibis and Agat will the heatshield. An Announcement of host up to 50% of ESA-sponsored ESA’s Microgravity Programme Board Opportunity (AO) for the Biopan and experiments. gave the go-ahead on 27 June to Stone experiments is expected to be The 7 kg standalone capacity is book 355 kg of the payload capacity released in September allocated to student experiments on Russia’s next Foton mission, (www.estec.esa.int/spaceflight). selected through ESA’s Outreach planned for the end of 2002.This will FluidPac’s four experiments have programme. An AO will be released in be the first time that the Agency has already been approved: BAMBI, ARIEL, September (www.estec.esa.nl/ purchased all of the non-Russian DAGOBERT and SIMBA. outreach) for experiments to fly on capacity on a Foton mission.While As on Foton-12, ESA’s payload will ESA’s parabolic aircraft in June 2001 the Board was reaching its decision, be accompanied by the Ibis before final selection for Foton. on Station the technical details of the improved automated biological incubator from Foton-M is being developed by Foton-M spacecraft were being CNES and the Agat materials science TsSKB/Progress of Samara as an -7 revealed in Samara, Russia, during an furnace from DLR.With the flight upgrade of the generic Foton international Bion/Foton conference recoverable spacecraft that attended by some 75 engineers, ESA has reserved more than half of the payload completed 12 successful missions in scientists and project managers, capacity of the first Foton-M mission.(TsKB/Progress) 1985-1999.The modification goals including a delegation from ESA. include increased payload mass Foton-M1’s manifest will build on (600 vs. 500 kg) and power, longer the success of last year’s Foton-12 flights (3 vs. 2 weeks) and improved (see On Station #1 pp12-13; #2 pp17- microgravity quality: residual 19) by flying the 200 kg FluidPac/ accelerations will be 10-5-10-6 g TeleScience combination (fluid throughout the flight. If those design physics), the 27 kg Biopan exposure goals are achieved, Foton-M will offer facility (biology) and up to 7 kg of an unparalleled environment that standalone experiment packages. A satisfies even the most demanding of new version of the Stone simulated researchers. on Station no. 3, july 2000 recent & relevant Recent & Relevant ISS Commercialisation ESA astronaut Pedro Duque (right) describes what the Space Station offers to potential commercial developers. ESA took a major step on 16 June towards commercialisation of the Organisation could be a International Space Station (ISS) when single entity or a more it released two Calls for Interest aimed complex structure such as a at creating an organisation to market Consortium, a Joint Venture Europe’s commercial allocation and to with other industrial or share in the generated income.The semi-industrial entities, or a Calls are targeted at distinct market Public-Private Partnership. segments.The Commercial Research As the R&D and innovative and Technology Development element sectors likely require is aimed primarily at space and different knowledge and research companies operating in the expertise, more than one space and microgravity fields.The Business Developer may be Innovative Markets element This event marks the first time that appointed. If so, ESA may appoint a emphasises sponsorship, advertising, ESA has publicly declared its Business Development Coordinator entertainment and education.The goal intention to create strategic to act as the Agency’s sole interface. here is to attract communications, partnerships for commercial The companies that have already sponsorship and multimedia exploitation of the Station. Business expressed interest include Alenia companies in developing the unique proposals were due in by the end of Aerospazio, Astrium GmbH, BEOS AG opportunities offered by the ISS offers July, to be followed at the end of the & Co.oHG Space Operators, Bikker, in terms of , brand visibility and year with high-level commitments Carlo Gavazzi Space, CMP Cientifica public interest. from invited organisations, and kick- s.I., D3 Group GmbH, ESYS, Intospace An ISS Information Day at ESTEC’s off the ISS Commercialisation GmbH, Kesberg, Bütfering & Partner, Erasmus User Centre (EUC) supported Programme in 2001. National Aerospace Laboratory (NL), the release of the Calls for Interest, The Information Day also saw the OHB System GmbH, Publicis attended by companies from both creation of a forum among Consultants, Space Channel and market segments. ESA astronaut Pedro participating companies, promoting Verhaert. Duque helped to describe the Space interactions that should generate The Calls for Interest and company Station, its facilities and the EUC, detailed proposals covering a wider contact details are available at: adding his own experiences in space range of commercial activities. www.estec.esa.int/spaceflight/ and a virtual reality tour of the Station. The ISS Commercial Development isscommercialisation

on Station ATV Launch Contract a single ESA contract to be awarded in 400 km orbit of the ISS and dock with 2001.This contract will later include the Russian Zvezda Service Module. ESA and Arianespace signed a the launch services contract. The cargo can include up to 5.5 t of contract in June worth more than The 20.75 t ATV will be launched by dry cargo in the pressurised carrier, EUR1 billion to launch nine the Ariane-5 Plus version of the heavy- 840 kg water, 100 kg air, or 8- Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs) to lift launcher, equipped with the nitrogen, 860 kg propellants for the International Space Station over a reignitable EPS upper stage, directly Station refuelling, and 4 t of period of 10 years. Following the into a 300 km circular orbit inclined at propellants for its own engines to maiden flight in late 2003, ATVs will be 51.6°. From there, ATV will use its own provide Station reboost and attitude launched every 15 months to resupply propulsion system to reach the control during the 6-month the Station, boost its orbit and remove attachment. At the end of its mission, waste. ATV can remove 5.5 t of waste for Currently under development by a disposal during the destructive consortium led by Aerospatiale Matra reentry. Lanceurs of Les Mureaux (F), the ATV will be Europe’s payment ‘in kind’ The launch contract for nine ATV missions was signed rather than in cash for its 8.3% share on 7 June at the ILA2000 air show in Berlin.Centre is ESA Director General Antonio Rodotà, left is Director of of the common ISS operating costs. ESA Manned Spaceflight & Microgravity Jörg Feustel- The nine ATVs will be produced and Büechl, right is Arianespace Chairman/CEO Jean-Marie operated by European industry under Luton.(Arianespace)

on Station no. 3, july 2000 Recent & Relevant Maxus Payload Approved ‘Tubulin’ Publication

The experiments for the Maxus-5 and Graviperception Mechanism of The results of the intriguing ‘Tubulin’ suborbital microgravity mission were Characean Rhizoids and Protonema’ experiment on Maxus-3 (described in approved by the Agency’s (Braun, D);‘Biological Gravity On Station #1, pp24-27) were recently Microgravity Programme Board at its Dependence by Way of Microtubule published in the authoritative meeting on 26/27 June.The five Reaction-Diffusion Processes’ Proceedings of the National Academy experiments are:‘Drop Dissolution (J. Tabony, F). Maxus-5 is planned to of Science (vol. 97, #15, pp8364-8368, and Marangoni Migration’ (R. Monti, I); be launched from in ‘Microtubule Self-organization is ‘Crystallisation Kinetics of Silicalite-1’ November 2002.The construction of Gravity-dependent’,C. Papaseit, (J. Martens, B);‘Vibrational Maxus-4 is underway for launch in N. Pochon & J. Tabony).The Phenomena in Inhomogeneous April 2001. See pp16-17 for coverage experiment demonstrated – for the Media’ (P. Evesque, F);‘Gravisensitivity of the latest microgravity mission. first time – the gravity-dependency of a reaction-diffusion structure.This finding provides a clue as to how ISS Biomedical Contract living cells sense the lack of gravity in space. ESA and researchers from academia and industry signed the contract on Mr Jörg Feustel-Büechl (left) and Prof.Augusto Cogoli 3 May for a health research project sign the contract for the first in a series of almost 50 that will develop a space bioreactor new projects in ESA’s Microgravity Applications for research aboard the International Promotion Programme. Space Station (ISS) into biomedical applications. At the ceremony, held in academia and industry to work the Erasmus User Centre at ESTEC, together on industrially-relevant Mr Jörg Feustel-Büechl, ESA’s Director research.The aim is to initiate of Manned Spaceflight and concrete industrial projects in which Microgravity, pointed out that "This is mechanisms responsible for cell terrestrial research with industrial the first in a series of almost 50 aggregation and differentiation objectives and commercial funding, contracts for application-oriented control mechanisms, and in obtaining together with the participation of research projects that involve the better pseudo-organs for possible researchers from scientific institutes, ISS." clinical uses. are supported by ESA, including the A bioreactor is used for growing The modular space bioreactor sponsoring of space flight bacteria, yeast or animal cells and, project is one of almost 50 opportunities and associated ground- more recently, for tissue.The new microgravity application projects for based activities. bioreactor will be designed the Space Station that ESA expects to Prof. Cogoli and his scientific- specifically for cultivating medically- initiate in the near future.They will industrial team proposed the space relevant mammalian cells, tissues and use the Station to obtain application- bioreactor project in response to organ-like structures, with particular oriented data that provide deeper ESA’s first Announcement of on Station emphasis on vessels and cartilage. insights into Earth-based industrial Opportunity (AO) for Physical Space research may be instrumental processes or be used in numerical Sciences and Biotechnology.This -9 for the breakthrough in tissue simulations.The availability of the 1998 AO for Space Station research engineering – the microgravity Space Station means that examining proposals produced 145 responses, environment may provide much specific applied-research questions in substantially exceeding expectations. better conditions for obtaining that unique environment may be, in After a review by independent peers, proper 3D cell structures. the long term, rewarding for industry. 6 proposals were rated as The modular space bioreactor for The modular space bioreactor ‘outstanding’,26 as ‘highly medically-relevant organ-like project is sponsored by ESA’s recommended’ and 30 as structures was proposed by a Microgravity Applications Promotion ‘recommended’.Of these, 31 dealt European scientific and industrial Programme and is funded jointly with with application-oriented research, research team under the coordination the participating scientific research including thermophysical properties of Prof. Augusto Cogoli from the institutes and industry. A major aspect of liquid metals, advanced foams, Swiss Federal Polytechnical University of this MAP Programme is the setting biological tissue culturing, (ETH) Zurich. It will be essential in up of Europe-wide teams and osteoporosis and combustion clarifying the cellular and molecular networks involving partners from processes. on Station no. 3, july 2000 space station SSpacpacee SStatationtion SSynerynerggyy The Synergy between Columbus,, MPLM, the Nodes and ATV’’s Carrierier

Saverio Lioy, Head of Infrastructures, Alenia Spazio,Strada Antica di Collegno 253,I-10146 Torino,Italy Email:[email protected]

The Columbus primary Introduction structure is inspected in the Europe’s major participation in the Torino plant by the D/MSM International Space Station offered ESA and the team. (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, ASI) the opportunity for developing common With the aim of subsystems for their pressurised harmonising the basic Common development of modules, thereby reducing costs. requirements of these major Space Station The Station’s redesign allowed four projects, the elements is optimising the the agencies to harmonise the specific design cost to Europe… top-level requirements for methodologies for Columbus, the Multi Purpose their equivalent Logistics Module (MPLM), Nodes-2 and -3, and subsystems and the pressurised Carrier of the Automated components were Transfer Vehicle (ATV). evaluated, including For these four important Space Station the use of the same elements, the agencies and prime contractor technologies, tooling Node-2 uses half of the Alenia Spazio have worked hard to optimise and procedures.The MPLM shell.Columbus is in their design commonalities even though they entire spectrum of the background, at left. have totally different purposes: potential commonality was • ESA’s Columbus pressurised laboratory is investigated. From the beginning of Space

on Station aimed primarily at materials science, fluid Station redesign,‘commonality’ became an physics and life sciences research; imperative, bearing in mind that extending any • the reusable MPLM will be carried by the part of one project into another would Space Shuttle as an ASI/NASA bilateral produce substantial benefits. venture for delivering and returning Based on this approach, under an ESA/ASI 10- supplies and materials, attached to the agreement, Alenia and Columbus prime Station for up to 6 months; contractor Astrium made a substantial effort to • Nodes-2 and -3, developed under an revise the designs of the MPLM and Columbus ESA/NASA barter arrangement, will connect modules in order to adopt common items and the Station’s pressurised modules and house subsystems, and consequently to substantially life support, EVA and robot arm controls; reduce the development and qualification • ESA’s ATV logistics vehicle, launched by costs. Ariane-5, will deliver research and system In addition, significant effort has been made equipment, gases and propellants, and then on simplifying the design of the internal burn up in the atmosphere carrying Station subsystems for all the projects in order to waste. maximise the volume and mass available for the payloads. Although it is physically the Alenia Spazio is responsible for the design Station’s smallest laboratory, Columbus offers and production of modules totalling about the same payload accommodation and 40% of the Station’s pressurised volume. services as the others.

on Station no. 3, july 2000 The Savings The MPLM primary structure also forms the The first important consequence of the basis for the two Nodes and ATV’s pressurised similarities between the projects was the Carrier. For the Nodes, half of the adoption of common design approaches for cylinder length is being fully used, the primary structures, thermal insulation along with the fittings for the Shuttle systems and most of the internal cargo bay interface.The other half has environmental control equipment for all of the been redesigned to host the four related pressurised compartments. MPLM was radial docking ports. Node-2’s considered to be the base project for deriving primary structure will be completed those subsystem designs for Columbus, with in October and finish testing in the goal of transferring them with as few December, for the fully integrated modifications as possible. In fact, MPLM’s and tested Node to be delivered to primary structure has been almost fully used NASA in March 2002. Among other for Columbus, with only a few local changes in items, ESA is providing the Nodes to offset the ASI President Sergio De Julio the forward cone and in the thickness of the Columbus launch cost aboard the Shuttle. (left) and ESA Director cylindrical shell. In exchange for this structure, European industry is thus developing hardware General Antonio Rodotà sign the formal transfer of the ESA has provided to for the Station using ESA funds, rather than ESA Columbus and MPLM ASI the paying NASA in dollars for the Columbus hardware on 14 April. Environmental launch. Control and Life The ESA/ASI agreement has also fostered an Support Subsystem increasing use of common subcontractors for (ECLS) for MPLM the Columbus and Node electrical harnesses (p4, On Station #2; and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment ESA BR-143 (OHB, D) and thermal control subsystems ‘Supporting Life’) (Microtecnica, I).These synergies will continue Several of those into the operational phase in terms of ECLS items, such as integration, payload operation and logistics the cabin air activities. diffuser, For ATV, MPLM’s length is halved to 3.9 m. depressurisation The aft cone is modified to interface with ATV’s assembly and propulsion section and the forward cone is positive/negative modified to accommodate the Russian pressure relief Docking System (see p20 On Station #1, assembly, have also December 1999).The Structural Model is in been adopted for final assembly and will begin its qualification Columbus without further qualification, after campaign in late 2000.The proof that their original requirements meet or first flight unit will be exceed those of the laboratory. delivered to Aerospatiale in The experience gained from the design and November 2002; eight flight development of MPLM, plus the integration units are currently planned. on Station and verification of the two Flight Units already By the end of the Space delivered to NASA, has created remarkable Station programme, Alenia -11 benefits for the other projects.The acquired Spazio will have built 18 know-how is allowing common utilisation of related primary structures analytical tools and documentation, adoption (three dedicated to of the qualification approach by ‘similarity’,and qualification).This approach optimisation of the projects’ integration and of reducing costs by using verification processes – generating a cost- common items wherever possible has kept MPLM provided the primary saving that would have been impossible to these projects within budget and released structure for Columbus. achieve otherwise.This Columbus/MPLM financial resources for new activities. synergy has saved about EUR70 million of taxpayers' money – or about 10% of MPLM’s programme cost and a similar level for Further information on the space activities of Columbus.The Columbus primary structure Alenia Spazio can be found at was completed in January and successfully http://www.alespazio.it tested in February. on Station no. 3, july 2000 microgravity DDippingipping ininttoo MMicricroogrgraavitvityy

Vladimir Pletser, Microgravity Payloads Division, D/MSM,ESTEC,Postbus 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Email:[email protected]

ESA’s latest campaign of parabolic aircraft preparation for their flights was completed successfully in May.This respective flights on 28th campaign was organised by ESA to the Maxus-4 (March prepare microgravity experiments for sounding 2001) and Maser-9 rocket and International Space Station flights. (November 2001) International teams conducted sounding . ESA’s series of parabolic 11 experiments: seven in physical ‘Vibrational flights continues to prepare sciences, three in biology, and experiments for rocket and one with crew support Space Station flights equipment. The Airbus A300, flying out of Bordeaux-Mérignac (F) airport, completed 97 parabolas over 4 days, each time generating about 20 s of microgravity.The 27 previous campaigns have produced more than 2650 parabolas and almost 15 h of weightlessness ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers (right) testing the Mirsupio for 360 experiments since 1984. crew pouch supervised by EAC engineer Frits de Jong. Physical Sciences ‘Hydrodynamics of wet foams’ (B. Kronberg, Institute for Surface Chemistry, Stockholm, S; phenomena in inhomogeneous media’

on Station M. Adler, CNRS, , F) studied different foams (P. Evesque, Ecole Centrale, Paris, F; D. Beysens, and tested a new method of creation by CEA, Grenoble, F;Y. Garrabos, CNRS, Pessac, F) injecting into liquids. Foam investigated the effects of vibrations in generation cannot be tested on the ground weightlessness on the inhomogeneities in because the bubbles collapse too rapidly. 2-phase fluids and granular matter.Three cells 12- Researching stable foams in microgravity is were axially vibrated at 5-100 Hz.This is one of helping to produce lighter materials without the recommended experiments for the Fluid compromising structural behaviour – clearly of Science Laboratory aboard Columbus. interest to car and aircraft designers, for ‘Liquid diffusion model experiments with example. the shear cell technique’ (G. Frohberg & ‘Interfacial turbulence in evaporating liquids’ A. Griesche, Berlin Technical University, D; (J.C. Legros, Brussels University, B) studied the G. Matthiak, DLR, Köln, D) continued an 3D temperature in evaporating ethanol arising experiment flown on the Russian Foton-12 in from the turbulent motions at the liquid-gas September 1999.The diffusion coefficients of interface. It also tested the cell filling method. liquids are difficult to measure on the ground This is one of the recommended experiments because of convection induced by gravity. In of ESA’s Microgravity Applications Promotion microgravity, diffusion coefficients can be Programme (On Station #2, p.7) measured by separating parts of the long The Swedish Space Corporation designed capillary cell after diffusion.This shearing was the hardware for these first two experiments in investigated on different cell designs. One cell

on Station no. 3, july 2000 was tested to prepare for the German diffusion transport to be studied. An ethane Scientists from the Univ.of Advanced Titus facility that will fly on the flame in a forced air flow was observed using Rome and engineers from Russian segment of the Space Station. advanced diagnostics techniques such as Officine Galileo conducting the enzyme catalysis The ‘Study of synthesis of carbon species in spectroscopy and particle image velocimetry. experiments with the EMEC microgravity’ (J.P. Issi, J.C. Charlier & It should provide the scientific basis for module. J.M. Beuken, Louvain University, B) investigated evaluating material flammability in the synthesis of new forms of carbon microgravity, allowing fire risks aboard manned (Fullerenes, nanotubes and diamonds) via a spacecraft to be reduced. strong electric discharge between Biology Experiments Engineers from Philips testing two graphite Bones tend to degrade in the elderly on Earth a new bulb filament design. electrodes. Similar and in astronauts on long .‘Real experiments on time physiological and molecular biological previous parabolic measurements of osteoblast-like cells’ flights have shown (D. Jones, Marburg University, D; Vander Sloten, that the synthesis of Leuven University, B) investigated osteoblasts, these carbon forms responsible for bone tissue regeneration. is somehow Bovine bone cells were mechanically strained improved. In and observed by optical diagnostics in order to addition, better determine the role of the intracellular calcium. artificial diamonds ‘Effects of gravity at biomolecular level’ were produced on (P. Vanni, Florence University, I) and ‘Lipoxygenase activity in microgravity’ (M. Maccarrone & A. Finazzi-Agrò, Rome University, I; G.A. Veldink & J.F.G. Vliegenhart, Utrecht University, NL) investigated the role of The Airbus A300 flew its microgravity in enzyme catalysis reactions to 2000th parabola during the complement previous experiments in the campaign’s second EMEC (Effect of Microgravity on Enzyme sortie.Coordinators Vladimir Catalysis) module on the Maser-7 sounding Pletser (ESA, left) and rocket in 1996, refurbished for this campaign D. Thierion (CNES, right) congratulate Novespace by Officine Galileo.The lipoxygenase enzyme Directeur General J.P. Fouquet plays important regulatory roles in all living in front of the cells, from plants to animals. commemorative plaque. the ground than those by standard industrial Crew Support Equipment processes. The ‘Test of the Mirsupio crew support pouch’ ‘Recrystallization of tungsten filament’ by engineers from the European Astronaut (R. van Wijk & P. Dona, Philips Eindhoven, NL) Centre used a multi-purpose crew equipment looked at the causes of filament sagging in pouch worn around the waist to help on Station bulbs, which reduces light output and lifetime. astronauts in their daily lives in orbit. ESA This is one of the first experiments conducted astronaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré used an early -13 directly by an industrial company in version aboard Mir.This improved version was weightlessness and shows the potential of validated for use aboard the Space Station. applied research and development in microgravity. The Future ‘Laminar diffusion flames representatives of ESA’s 29th parabolic flight campaign is fires in microgravity environments’ (P. Joulain, scheduled for November 2000 with CNRS, Poitiers, F; J.L. Torero, Maryland experiments in life and physical sciences, this University, USA) continued a series of parabolic time focusing on physiological and medical flight, sounding rocket and drop tower experiments. Over the next 4 years, ESA will run combustion experiments to characterise the two campaigns annually. Scientists are structure of laminar diffusion flames in regularly invited microgravity. Flames in the absence of natural (http://www.spaceflight.esa.int/parabolic) to convection, which removes hot gases from the submit proposals for review and selection by combustion site in favour of cold gases, allow peers. on Station no. 3, july 2000 research ESAESA’’ss LifLifee && PPhhyysicsicalal SciencScienceses RResearesearchch inin SSpacpacee

Marc Heppener, ISS Utilisation & Microgravity Promotion Division, D/MSM,ESTEC,Postbus 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email:[email protected]

Introduction was often difficult for the researchers opportunities in the last decade.With In the past 15 years, the quality of to gain recognition in the scientific numerous flights of Spacelab, research in life and physical sciences community at large for their Spacehab, sounding rockets and in space has progressed to the pioneering work. A recent statistical Russian manned and unmanned present high level. At the same time, survey on the number and quality of systems, the 1990s strongly improved the field has expanded beyond life sciences papers has shown (see on the preceding decade, which was fundamental research to add applied graph) that this situation has greatly troubled by the Challenger research, with principal applications in significantly improved over the last accident in 1986. health research and improving 15 years.Today, the average quality of Still, counting the number of industrial processes. a space life sciences paper, as experiment-hours, the total available ESA is currently promoting measured by the impact factor of the experiment time is small when application-oriented research in journal in which it appeared, is almost compared to what will be available space. Research programmes by pan- 50% higher than an average non- on the International Space Station. European teams with significant space life sciences paper. It can be The Station will offer the continuous industrial contributions are being safely assumed that the physical access and repeatability of initiated. Common sciences enjoy a similar positive experiments that are essential in objectives are Applied situation. attracting new scientists and being research is now a The increase in quality of commercial customers to exploit the established strong element of ESA’s Life the research is attributable possibilities of research in space. with the 5th & Physical Sciences to two factors. Firstly, since As in any other discipline, the and 6th Framework activities... the early 1990s, ESA has applied a onset of a new technique needs first

on Station Programmes of the European rigorous peer review system in which to be incorporated and accepted by Comission (EC) and with the basic independent peers judge proposals its user community before research objectives as defined by the on their scientific merits.This system application-oriented research or European Science Foundation (ESF). has been acclaimed by ESA commercial use can be considered. delegations, the ESA advisory groups, For research in space, this period has 14- The Quality of Research the peers and the scientists been relatively long, mainly as a result ESA has undertaken life and physical themselves – even when their of the scarcity of flight opportunities. science experiments in space since proposals were rejected. Since 1997, Nevertheless, several research themes the mid-1980s.They involved mainly the Announcements of Opportunity with application potential have fundamental studies on the influence and the resulting peer reviews in Life emerged. ESA’s implementation of its of gravity on living systems, such as Sciences have been coordinated new programme element was based cells, organisms and humans, and internationally. All proposals received on exploiting these themes. organic and inorganic materials, worldwide are reviewed under one mostly in the liquid state. In the early system and judged on scientific The New Elements days, experiments were often excellence. A similar arrangement for In 1995, the ESA Ministerial Council in phenomenological and the the Physical Sciences will be Toulouse approved a proposal to development of adequate research implemented in 2000. promote application-oriented facilities adapted to the new A second explanation for the research aboard the Space Station. An environment of spaceflight was still in increased quality in research is the important first step was setting up its trial and error phase. As a result, it improved availability of flight Topical Teams mixing scientists from

on Station no. 3, july 2000 The quantity and quality of papers published on space- related European life sciences research has increased remarkably in recent years.

academia and industrial R&D laboratories.They focused on identifying common interests and developing concrete suggestions for application-oriented research.The second step incorporated application- oriented research in ESA’s AOs for Life and Physical Sciences.The first such new-style AO was issued in 1998. Important new elements are that the — thermophysical properties of these data are not yet fully available. AO: liquid metals; What is extremely gratifying to see is — advanced foams; the leverage of the funding provided — deals with basic and applied — biological tissue culturing; by ESA. Also, the contributions by research; — osteoporosis; industries, which include some — calls for research programmes, — combustion processes. important European companies, are rather than proposals for substantial. Even taking into account individual flight experiments; A second, Life Sciences, AO was that the industrial contributions are — calls for teams with a European issued in September 1999.The 40 mainly in-kind or in-house activities, dimension, rather than individual proposals are under review. If the the interest of European industry is Principal Investigators; statistics of the first AO apply, then 40- clearly evident. — strongly suggests inclusion of 50 proposals in total will be initiated. partners from non-space An important aspect is the funding Towards the European Research Plan industries in the teams; status of these programmes. ESA The approach described above will be — offers ESA funding for applied funding per project was announced pursued further in the coming years. research programmes. as 300 keuro per year maximum, ESA is beginning a dialogue with the on Station scaled by an ‘application factor’ as ESF and EC to define common The last element is fundamentally identified by the peers. Other parties objectives in fundamental and -15 new for ESA, which has never before ready to fund these projects were applied research. Research priorities funded the experiments themselves. mainly the proposing institutes will be set around themes like Health, The response to this first AO, which themselves, National Agencies and Nutrition and Ageing, Energy and dealt with Physical Sciences and the industrial partners.The overall Environment, and Improvement of Biotechnology, consisted of 145 statistics read as follows: Industrial Processes.Together with proposals – substantially exceeding inputs from the various National initial expectations. After a review by ESA 9.2 Meuro 35% Space Agencies, a truly user-driven independent peers, six were rated as Institutes 7.6 Meuro 29% European Research Plan will be the Outstanding, 26 Highly Industry 6.9 Meuro 27% end result.This Research Plan will be Recommended and 30 Third parties 2.4 Meuro 9% presented to the next ESA Ministerial Recommended. 31 of the 145 were Total 26.1 Meuro Council in 2001. application-oriented, including: Funding from National Agencies is excluded from these statistics because on Station no. 3, july 2000 microgravity TTeexusxus SSuccuccessesesses ESA’’s Participation in Texus-37 & Texus-38

Wolfgang Herfs, Head of Mini-Missions Section, D/MSM,ESTEC,Postbus 299,2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands Email:[email protected]

Introduction longer duration and manned missions and also ESA’s four successful experiments aboard the in carrying out independent investigations. Texus-37 and -38 sounding rockets launched in March/April 2000 from Esrange near Kiruna in Texus-37 northern were the latest in the long The single ESA-funded module accounted for series of suborbital microgravity about 29% of the scientific payload.The other The recent dual Texus missions. So far, ESA has funded four experiments in three modules were launches again highlighted 75 experiments from eight funded by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). the importance of Member States: B (15), D (17), E Texus-37 was launched on 27 March, 4 days suborbital microgravity (6), F (11), I (6), NL (7), S (8) and UK behind schedule because of strong winds.The research... (5), or about 3.1 t of scientific biological samples were returned only an hour payload on Texus missions since later to the scientists at the launch site by Texus-6 in May 1982.This reflects the important helicopter, followed minutes later by a second role of sounding rocket missions for helicopter with the recovered payload. microgravity research, both in preparing for Texus-38 This 100%-ESA mission flew on 2 April, 2 days behind schedule, again because of strong winds. All of the scientific data was telemetered to the ground before the main parachute failed to open and the payload thumped back down

on Station into the snow at 85 m/s. Although the horizontal impact meant it was not completely destroyed, most of the hardware cannot be reused.This was the first failure of the recovery system after 43 successes for European 16- The TEM-SEN-3 module microgravity launches covering 37 Texus, studied flame-spreading in 2 Maser and 4 Maxus missions.The failure microgravity.Samples were investigation showed that the main parachute burned in the large central was never pulled out of its container because combustion chamber, surrounded by the three gas the tow-line from the drogue parachute was bottles, the infrared camera not properly attached by the US manufacturer. (black unit, bottom right) and the two optical CCD cameras The ESA-funded Experiments (twin white cylinders). Texus-37: Critical Velocities in Open Capillary Inset: a sample is ignited.The other two samples can be Flows seen to the left and right, (Dr. Dreyer, ZARM, Bremen, D; new module with their ignition filaments. TEM 06-24, developed by Astrium, Bremen, D) Capillary vanes are used in tanks to supply propellant to thrusters for attitude control, but there is a point (critical flow

on Station no. 3, july 2000 The launch of Texus-38.

velocity) where the flow path collapses or behaviour of propellant droplets in car, aircraft liquid is ingested at the outlet. Measuring this and spacecraft critical velocity is difficult on the ground engines. Improved because flows only a few mm long can be understanding will achieved, but on Texus-37 a steady flow of lead to more efficient silicon oil with a viscosity of 0.65 cSt was designs.The established between two parallel glass plates experiment was run 5 mm apart and 50 mm long.The flow was in realtime by the then increased slowly to find the critical value investigators – one for that length.The open capillary was for each oven – observed by two CCD cameras, and the flow working with speed measured by injecting small air bubbles. joysticks at their launch-site consoles. Texus-38: Signal Transduction in Osteoblasts The most critical step (Prof. Jones, Philipps-Univ., Marburg, D; new for each was creating module TEM 06-25, developed by Astrium, the droplet, by Bremen, D) establishing a liquid Investigating whether the calcium release by bridge between two bone-forming cells is affected by microgravity small syringes, which is important for understanding the lose of were then quickly bone mass in astronauts.The free calcium of rotated apart.The osteoblast cells loaded with ‘fura-2’ fluorescent droplet was held on a dye was accurately measured by two 0.1 mm-diameter photometers recording the fluorescence glass fibre and (405 nm & 490 nm) triggered by an ultraviolet moved into the (345 nm) laser. As mechanical stress (e.g. hottest part of the physical exercise) increases calcium generation, oven – one heated to the second part of the experiment subjected 400°C, the other to 600°C.The pressure for each Droplet vaporisation was the cells to pressure pulses.This time, the was controlled between ambient and 50 bar. studied in the two ovens (the ‘oregon green’ fluorescent dye was excited by a large cylinders near the top) of TEM-EVA, seen here in the 473 nm crystal laser and observed with a All four experiments ran successfully and Esrange integration hall. fluoresence . interesting scientific results can be expected. Inset: an n-heptane droplet For the future, the 100% ESA-funded Maxus-4 evaporates under weightless- Texus-38: Flame Spreading under Forced Flow (April 2001) and Maser-9 (November 2001) are ness in the 400°C oven. Conditions under construction, and the payload for (Prof.Tarifa, Univ. of Madrid, E; modified module TEM-SEN-3, developed by Astrium, Bremen, D and Sener, E) Little is known on how fires would spread in a manned spacecraft, where there is no on Station convection and low airflow. Flame spreading along solid fuel samples in very slow laminar -17 gas flows (1, 1.5, 3 cm/s) was observed by optical and infrared cameras, and the temperatures measured by thermocouples. Two gas mixtures with different oxygen contents were used: 10% O2/90% N2 and 40% O2/60% N2. Each of the three hollow plastic cylinders – 80 mm long, 6 mm diameter – was ignited by an electric heating wire.

Texus-38: Droplet Evaporation (Prof. Gökalp, CNRS Orléans, F; new module Maxus-5 (November 2002) was approved in The battered payload module of Texus-38 is returned to TEM-EVA, developed by Astrium, Bremen, D) June (see this issue’s Recent & Relevant news Esrange.Fortunately, all of the n-Heptane droplets were vaporised in two pages). Maser-10 is planned for 2003 with 80% scientific data were relayed to independent ovens in order to probe the funding by ESA. the ground before impact. on Station no. 3, july 2000 space station ESAESA’’ss LLababororaattororyy SSuppupporortt EEquipmenquipmentt PPrroogrgrammeamme

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

The ‘Brayton Machine’, The ESA Laboratory Support Equipment (LSE) working at 90 000 rpm, Programme covers the development of the generates the –80°C for ‘MELFI’ and ‘MSG’multi-user facilities to support MELFI. experiments in biology, life sciences, physiology, materials science and fluid science, together with the development The Agency’s development of the Hexapod pointing system of research hardware will for external payloads. By provide European users providing these three to NASA with early access to the under the ESA/NASA The –80°C is generated by a centralised cold Space Station Memorandum of Understanding engine working on the Brayton for Early Utilisation, the Agency thermodynamic cycle using nitrogen gas as the has gained early access for European users to cooling fluid.The turbine runs at up to the Station before the Columbus laboratory 90 000 rpm. becomes available in 2004.Through this barter, MELFI began Phase-C/D in January 1997, ESA can use three external payload sites on the went through the Preliminary Design Review Station Truss for 3 years and the equivalent of (PDR) at end-1997 and the Critical Design 1.5 internal equipment racks for 1 year, plus Review (CDR) at end-1998; it is now in the two ESA astronaut flight opportunities.The middle of its qualification campaign.The major investment is in developing European subsystems and equipment are undergoing technology, rather than spending European qualification tests, while the system-level tests

on Station taxpayers’ money in the USA. will begin in mid-2000.The industrial A MELFI flight unit is also being provided to consortium is headed by Matra Marconi Space Japan’s NASDA space agency, in return for 12 (F), now part of Astrium. International Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs). ESA will deliver the first MELFI to NASA in about March 2001 for launch inside MPLM on 18- MELFI Space Shuttle mission UF-1 to the Station, MELFI: a dewar is open with a The Minus Eighty (Degrees Celsius) Laboratory currently planned for about August 2001. speciment tray pulled out. Freezer for ISS (MELFI) is a fully integrated rack facility, hosted in an ISPR, to MELFI characteristics condition, freeze and store life Volume: 300 litres total in 4 independent dewars sciences and biological samples (minimum configuration 1 dewar at –80°C; 2-4 aboard the Space Station. MELFI dewars in combinations of 3 modes: below will also be used to transport –68°C, –37°C to –23°C, +0.5°C to +6°C. frozen specimens to/from the Temperatures maintained for 8 h without power Station flying fully powered Sample storage: cell culture 1-10 ml, fluids (blood, media, inside the Mini-Pressurised etc) 1-500 ml, tissue 2-10 ml, whole specimens Logistic Module aboard the 10-500 ml Space Shuttle.The four MELFI Cooling time (from +23°C to –68°C): 2 ml 18-25 min; units being built will each fly a 10 ml 44-56 min; 500 ml 460 min mission of up to 2 years.

on Station no. 3, july 2000 The MELFI Training Unit, delivered in June, shows the four dewar drawers at bottom.

MSG characteristics Work volume for experiments 255 litres Largest access dimension 40 cm diameter Experiment Power +120 Vdc, +28 Vdc, ±12 Vdc, 5 Vdc Cooling up to 200 W by air; up to 800 W by cold plate

Hexapod Hexapod will point its payload at the Earth with high accuracy and stability whatever the Space Station’s attitude. NASA’s Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE III) is its first payload, to monitor the global distribution of aerosols and gaseous constituents in the The Training Unit for the atmosphere. Microgravity Science Glovebox MSG The Hexapod/SAGE was delivered in July to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The Microgravity Science mechanical configuration Glovebox (MSG), also is extremely compact. housed in an ISPR, SAGE is mounted on accommodates materials Hexapod’s top ring flange science, combustion, fluid and extends down among science and crystal the six actuators in order growth research.The to minimise the volume sealed glovebox and the moment of inertia environment, with the of moving parts. class 100 000 cleanliness Hexapod’s lower level achieved by platform is continuously circulating mounted on a and filtering the air, wedge, to provide means that MSG is the 7° offset for particularly suited to optimising SAGE’s handling hazardous field of view.The materials in a manned assembly will be vehicle. It provides a large mounted on a working volume with nadir-pointed resources for flexibly handling experiments, Express Pallet Adapter on the Station’s either by direct crew intervention or Truss. automatically for prolonged periods. Hexapod’s Phase-C/D began in MSG’s Phase-C/D began in January 1997, February 1998 and went through PDR in went through PDR at end-1997 and CDR at the May 1999 and CDR in June 2000.The on Station beginning of 1999. Hardware manufacture and industrial consortium is headed by -19 flight and ground software development are Alenia Spazio. Hexapod will be delivered Hexapod will carry an underway. System-level qualification tests are to NASA in mid-2001 for launch on Shuttle atmospheric monitoring planned to begin by the middle of this year. mission UF-3 to the Station in late 2003. instrument.(Alenia Spazio) MSG’s industrial consortium is headed by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (D), now part of Hexapod characteristics Astrium. Degrees of freedom 6 MSG will be delivered to NASA by the end of Pointing range ±8° 2000 and, like MELFI, will be launched on UF-1 Pointing accuracy ± 90 arcsec for installation in the Station’s US Laboratory. Pointing stability 9 arcsec/s ESA made its first rack-level hardware delivery Pointing rate 1.2 deg/s to NASA in August 1999 when it handed over In-orbit life time 5 years the MSG Ground Unit, which is being used to Payload assembly mass 35 kg verify experiment interfaces and protocols as Payload envelope 340 x 340 x 740 mm well as in-orbit operations.The Training Unit Hexapod mass 110 kg was delivered in July 2000. on Station no. 3, july 2000 astronauts RRetureturnn ttoo EEararthth An ESA astronaut shares his space experiences

ESA astronaut Gerhard Thiele flew his first STS-99 was your first flight.What were your space mission in February as part of the STS-99 experiences of the first few hours and days in Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) that weightlessness? provided the raw data to create 30 m- I was extremely cautious because, as you know, resolution digital topographic and radar maps astronauts have experienced adaptation of 80% of the Earth’s surface. problems to weightlessness. I was very ESA astronaut Gerhard On Station took the opportunity fortunate that mine were very mild – probably Thiele shared his STS-99 to talk with Dr Thiele at ESA’s because I was so careful. In the first few hours, experiences with European Astronaut Centre in you need to stay upright and orient yourself in On Station contributor Cologne, Germany at the the same reference frame as the Orbiter’s.The Graham Biddis… conclusion of the crew’s most amazing thing to me was that, just within European tour. 3 or 4 days, you adjust not only to weightless- ness but you even forget what it is like in gravity!

Your role in STS-99 was as a member of the with specific responsibility for the European-built radar system. As Mission Specialist-1, what were your other ‘personal’ responsibilities? Well, as MS-1, I was sitting on the flight-deck behind the pilots for launch. If everything goes Working on a laptop during normally, that means that you do nothing but STS-99.(NASA) observe. If there is a malfunction, then you are the guy who keeps the ‘big picture’ in looking Would you outline the major mission goals of ahead and monitoring which systems are still your flight? active. MS-1 provides the system status to the The purpose of the mission was to generate pilots and the flight engineer sitting next to the first 3-dimensional map of the Earth’s main you, including potential impacts of further

on Station land masses between 60°N and 57°S.We now failures. have terrain information with an altitude Juggling in weightlessness is accuracy of about 10-15 cm for every 30 m The SRTM crew had to be able to perform a not so easy...(NASA) along the ground. spacewalk in the event of hardware problems. Can you give us some insight into your EVA 20- training? Every Shuttle crew has a contingency EVA team in case something happens that needs external attention – even if it is not planned. Let’s say that the Ku-band antenna, which is one of the antennas for communicating with the ground, refuses to return to its stowage position at the end of the mission.You have the option to jettison it, but it is an expensive piece of equipment, so you prefer to bring it back home. And that means a spacewalk to stow it manually. Apart from these usual Shuttle contingency tasks, our mission was equipped with this 60 m-long radar mast that could have presented

on Station no. 3, july 2000 Gerhard checks an Earth target through the camera viewfinder on the Shuttle’s aft flight deck.(NASA)

to spend a tremendous amount of time learning the subject! So I would say that you must start as early as you can and don't hold back on a single opportunity because the time constraints can be just overwhelming.

STS-99’s multi-national crew included US, Japanese and European astronauts. Did you notice any cultural differences in training for and flying this mission? There were definitely some cultural differences between the crew members.Very simple things like eating – Japanese food is very different from European food, for example. But there was never a significant difference on our mission that would not have arisen if it had been an all-American crew or that I introduced into the team because I was a European. I just didn't see Training with NASA astronaut some problems – we might have had to do anything like that! Janet Kavandi.(NASA) EVAs to deploy or retract it manually. And we came pretty close to the manual retraction because of the problem we had closing the mast canister lid! We could not close it on the first attempt but that was not a total surprise. But it closed OK at the second go and we did not need a spacewalk.

Are there any specific issues from your mission training where you can pass on significant ‘lessons learned’ to your colleagues? Well, one that I would recommend to first-time flyers – as I was on that mission – and if you are MS-1 sitting on the flight-deck during ascent, is that you want to get to know the Shuttle systems by heart. And if you are also a contingency EVA astronaut, don't underestimate the time that you need to spend on it in order to become proficient. On Following your experience supporting top of all that, I was ‘payload lead’ for my shift, Spacelab D-2 mission operations and now your so I had to have an in-depth knowledge on STS-99 experience, is there a particular area on Station everything that had to do with the radar in where your background could really make a order to take decisions in conjunction with the future contribution? -21 ground team. Of course, that means you have Definitely yes! And I think it shows in my new job assignment after STS-99 – I will be a Capcom (capsule communicator or Mission Control Center crew interface) for Shuttle mission control. My experience as an Alternate Payload Specialist during D-2 will certainly be an asset. It was very beneficial already in communicating with our STS-99 radar experts who were sitting in a separate Radar Payload Operations Control Center, very similar to our Spacelab POCC. Having experienced the communication process at both ends, on the ground and onboard, will certainly help me in my new job. Taking a meal break...(NASA) on Station no. 3, july 2000 focus on FFoocuscus onon ESAESA’’ss HHoustoustonon OOfficfficee

Helmut Heusmann, Head of ESA Houston Office, Code OT,NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Rd 1,Houston,TX 77058,USA Email:helmut.heusmann1@jsc..gov

The ESA Houston Office (EHO) at NASA’s requirements was agreed in Johnson Space Center in Texas owes its a ‘Joint PDRD’ that matched existence to the International Space Station the existing agreements with European (ISS) but its ancestry stretches back to the industry. However, because the NASA Reston Spacelab liaison office at NASA’s Marshall Space office had no budgetary power over the NASA Flight Center in Hunstville, centres actually implementing the Station ESA’s office in Houston Alabama in the late 1970s under Program, ESA’s attempts to come to interface plays an important role in Jan Bijvoet. After that design agreements with the Marshall, Johnson and the Agency’s manned space phase, liaison offices followed at Lewis (now Glenn) centres were all in vain. activities the Johnson Space Center for The greatest Station redesign of all began in interface definition and then at 1993 when the Russians joined the the Kennedy Space Center for Spacelab programme.The NASA programme office was integration into the Space Shuttle. moved to the Johnson Space Center and, with The original Memorandum of it, the ESA liaison office.This time, the Understanding (MOU) between ESA and NASA International Partners’ design requirements for cooperation on , as were documented in individually-tailored well as the current MOU for ISS, foresaw ESA Segment Specifications.The contents were still representation at the NASA Space Station the same, as the contracts with industry had Program Office ‘to facilitate the working not changed. relationships between NASA and ESA’.So the liaison office was installed in 1987 under the EHO Operations

on Station direction of Derek Deil in Reston,Virginia, then EHO’s support to the Manned Spaceflight the seat of the Freedom Program Office. A Programme Department at ESTEC has evolved reciprocal NASA liaison office was set up at from helping to negotiate the design ESTEC. requirements, then the interface requirements, The Reston Office hosted the negotiations and now towards implementation. Defining 22- for ESA’s portion of the Station design operations tasks was always part of the requirements for the Columbus module. support role, but its importance is steadily Signing up to the totality of the Program increasing.Two EHO staff members are now Design Requirements Document (PDRD), as serving as deputy launch package managers – NASA requested, was not possible. A subset of normally a acceptable

on Station no. 3, july 2000 Beginning the spacewalk tests. Preparing the Columbus mockup for the spacewalk evaluation.

NASA function – for Columbus/Cupola and the joint ESA/NASA tests, especially those at Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). Johnson.The most recent was the Neutral The Office’s work routine is geared to the Buoyancy Facility Test for verifying the Space Station Programme suitability of Columbus for external weekly meeting plan.This maintenance and repair by spacewalking plan covers weekly astronauts. EHO assisted in the interface with meetings of all six the project team in Europe and closely secondary boards followed the fabrication of the Columbus overseeing all Station mockup by NASA contractors on site.This close activities: payloads; vehicle cooperation led to the early detection and (the Station); avionics & correction of an assembly error: the bulkheads software; programme were welded to the wrong ends of the cylinder integration; mission as NASA had assumed that they were identical. integration & operations; The tests were made on three consecutive and robotics integration. days in January. Each day, two suited The primary board is the crewmembers spent 6 h underwater simulating Space Station Control spacewalking tasks. Evaluation of the test Board (SSCB), which is a multilateral control results was done in the EVA Assembly board that derives its mandate from the MOU. Integration and Test Panel, supported by EHO. The SSCB meets only at important events, In the future, EHO’s emphasis will shift from usually attended by the International Partners’ design and implementation to Station Programme Managers. In future, keeping up assembly and operations. the pace with the ISS assembly, SSCBs will meet more frequently by video-teleconference. EHO Personalities The ‘mother of all meetings’ is the Friday After Derek Deil’s retirement in afternoon meeting (named ‘Felicity’) chaired by early 1997, Francesco DiMauro the ISS Program Manager Tommy Holloway, took over until summer 1998, where the achievements and problems of the when a serious illness led to his past week are presented.This meeting is well untimely death in early 1999. attended and all NASA centres involved in the Dieter Lammers headed the office programme are connected, so the most per interim, until Helmut detailed questions can be answered instantly. Heusmann was appointed as the EHO staff attend meetings as guided by Head of EHO in late 1999. ESA’s interests.The overall EHO task is to gather EHO staff (see photo) are information, report to ESTEC and make the ESA seconded from the Manned position known to NASA. EHO is actively Spaceflight Programme Department at ESTEC The EHO team (from left) of involved in establishing the ATV Segment on a rotation basis of 3-5 years.This feature Francois Allard, Ulrich Specification and the Interface Requirements would not be complete without mentioning Thomas, Helmut Heusmann, local staff member Paige Document. the support to ESA astronauts at Johnson by Taylor, and Heinz Wartenberg. EHO’s weekly work culminates – at least Wolf Luettgen and Orazio Chiarenza, seconded on Station from the perspective of the 5-strong team – in from the European Astronauts Centre, as well providing the Weekly Report to ESTEC. as contractor Dwight Blair, who supports the -23 In addition to the day-to-day work, EHO MSM Utilisation Department. supports the preparation and execution of

The Columbus underwater tests underway in January 2000. on Station no. 3, july 2000 On Station ISSN 1562-8019

The Newsletter of ESA’s Directorate of Manned Spaceflight & Microgravity

This newsletter is published four times a year by ESA Publications Division. It is distributed free-of-charge to all readers interested in ESA’s manned spaceflight and microgravity activities. It can also be seen via the BR-136 29PP website at http://esapub.esrin.esa.int/ 15 DFL For further information, request for free subscription or change of BR-144 41PP address, please contact: 20 DFL On Station ESA Publications Division/DG-P ESTEC,Postbus 299 2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands. Fax: +31 71 565-5433 Available from ESA Publications Division, ESTEC, Postbus 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk,The Netherlands; Editors: Andrew Wilson ([email protected]) and contact Frits de Zwaan on [email protected], Brigitte Kaldeich ([email protected]) fax +31 71 565-5433. The Space Station brochures can be downloaded Contributing Writer: Graham T. Biddis from http://esapub.esrin.esa.it/br/br.htm Design & Layout: Eva Ekstrand & Carel Haakman

FIRST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS IN PHYSICAL SCIENCES & BIOTECHNOLOGY

10-15 September 2000 Sorrento, Italy

Co-sponsored by ASI, CNES, CSA, DLR, ESA, NASA and NASDA

Aims and Scope The Symposium will provide a forum for scientists from academia and industry to present and discuss recent advances in their research on gravity-dependent phenomena in Physical Sciences and Biotechnology. The major topics include Fundamental Physics, Fluid Physics, Heat and Mass Transport Phenomena, Physical Chemistry, Fluid Thermodynamics, Thermophysical Properties of Fluids, Combustion, Solidification Physics and the Crystallisation of Inorganic Materials and Biological Macromolecules.

International Scientific Committee Chairman and Co-Chairman Prof. Ilya Prigogine, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Prof. Francesco Gaeta ULB Brussels, Microgravity Advanced Research University of Texas at Austin, USA and Support Centre, Naples, Italy

Symposium Chairman ESA Coordinator Prof. Antonio Viviani Dr. Olivier Minster Seconda Università di Napoli ESA/ESTEC Aversa, Italy Noordwijk, The Netherlands

Conference Secretariat ESTEC Conference Bureau, P.O.Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands Tel.: +31-(0)71-5655005 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.estec.esa.int/CONFANNOUN/