- Email: [email protected]
European elements of the International Space Station
_,
.,
,.
European Elements of the International Space Station European
Space
Agency
Europe contributes to the International Space Station by providing, not only the Columbus laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) but also many other flight elements and ground elements, and by participating in the X-38 (Crew Return Vehicle) related studies.
T
he European contribution to the International Space Station can be categorised into flight elements and ground elements: Flight elements include the two system elements from the Declaration on the European Participation in the International Space Station (Toulouse, 1995): - Columbus Laboratory including the Microgravity Facilities for Columbus (MFC), and Provision for External payload Accommodation; - Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) launched on Ariane 5, for logistics, refuel and reboost missions; Other flight elements are contributed by ESA as part of barter agreements with NASA and other International Space Station Partners (Russia, Japan, Canada) in exchange of hardware and services provided by the Partners to ESA; Ground elements include operations control centres, engineering support and user support centres, medical facilities, logistics support facilities, test equipment, mock-ups, simulators, crew training equipment, software and any facilities necessary to house these items; Ground elements also include a dedicated communication network built around a hub in Europe, connecting all these facilities with each other and with the partner facilities. l
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The flight elements The European flight elements are indicated infigures 1 and 2: the Columbus Laboratory with Facilities and Microgravity Provisions for External Payload Accommodation; the Automated Transfer Vehicle WV; participation in the ‘X-38’ Crew Return Vehicle items; *the Data Management System; the European Robotic Arm; various support equipment; 2 cupolas; . node 2 and node 3; the Multi-Purpose Logistic Module (MPLM) and its associated Environmental Control Life Support (ECLS). l
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Columbus
laboratory
Development status The prime contractor for the Columbus development (see figure 3) is DaimlerChryster Aerospace (Dasa) in Bremen, Germany, leading a consortium of 41 companies in 14 countries. A fixed price development contract (Phase C/D) with Dasa was signed in March 1996 @gure 4). With a value of E 650 million, it is the largest single development contract ever placed by ESA.
The Preliminary Design Reviews (PRD) were successfully completed end 1997 on equipment, subsystems and system level. The External Payload Facility and the Enhanced Payload Communications Capability have been added. The integration of the Electrical Test Model began in mid-1998, and its test phase has started. Manufacture of flight hardware has started in April 1998 with the Environmental Control and Life Support System and the Data Management System. The manufacture of the Flight Module Primary Structure is progressing. The launch of Columbus onboard the Space Shuttle has been secured through a barter agreement with NASA. The Firm Fixed Price contracts for Biolab, Fluids Science Laboratory (FSL) and Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) Phase C/D and for the European Physiology Module (EPM) Phase B/C/D were signed.
Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Development programme The prime contractor for the ATV @gure 5) development is Aerospatiale in Les Mureaux, France. For the later production phase DaimlerChrysler Aerospace in Bremen, Germany, will
International Space Station ............ ..... ................ .... ...“. ..... .......... ...” ............... ....... .._............................. ..__._.........._ .... “..“” ....... ............. ...” ...... -............... .._ ............... ...” _...” ..” _... ...” ....-..... ....... ........... ...... ............ ............. .._ .... ...” ........ .... ....... ..-. ............ .................... .... .............. ......................... ............. ......
F@ure 1. Europe’s contributions to the International Space Station. The main ESA elements - Columbus, AN and MFC - are in dark blue. ASi’s MPLM is in pink, and GSA-provided items for other Purtners’eiements are in light b/ue. Right: MPLM will be attached underneath Node-2 during normal operations. In fact, it remains berthed only while the Space Shuffle is docked to the Space Station - the spaceplane is omitted here for clarify (DOG ESA/Alenia Aerospazio)
bethe contractor.The phaseC/D fixed price development contract with a value of 6 408 million (1997 economic conditions) was sinned in November 1998 yigure 6). W Role and mission of the ATI,r have been completed with the Russian
SpaceAgency RIM and NASA. An
The completion of the predevelopment of the rendezvous equipment -.&r\s. .“,l,.. n within the ATV Rendezvous Pre~IWU . -:---CQJM _ LL)beperformedby RKA developmentproject (ARP) was fol:gia as well as Russian and KKK Tenet lowed by 3 successfulflight demonhardware procurement for both the strations. These demonstrationssigdevelopmentand exploitation phases. nificantly reduce the risk to the AW vehicle development, for which the rendezvous sensor,developed under ARP,will be used. agreement
was reached
nn ATV inte-
l
DMrbuHon of European operations functions and facltMes This is displayedin table Z.
European deliveries to other partners F@tre 2. The worlds largest cooperative venture will need a constant stream of supply vesselsonce it is operational. ESA’sAutomated Transfer Vehicle is seen docked at top leti Columbus is housed at front left (DOG.ESA/D. Ducros).
The wish to offer the Europeanuser community the possibility to fly experimentsand astronautson the station before the arrival of the European ColumbusLaboratory in orbit, to find the most cost-effective solutions for the development of the hardware
AIR & SPACE EUROPE
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VOL.
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No 4 - I999
Elements. in .ISS delivery to NASA of Nodes 2 and 3, cryogenic freezers, refrigerators/freezers, and sustaining engineering associated with ground software development equipment. Cupola barter
ESA obtains from NASA up/down transportation of 5 External Payload complements, totalling 1250 kg in exchange for the delivery and subsequent sustaining engineering of two Cupolas for the ISS. Super Guppy Transporfer barter
Fiaore 3. ESA’s Columbus EsA/D. Ducros)
module
is a general purpose
laboratory
(Dot. .-__
needed by Europe and its partners, and to spend European tax-payers’ money in Europe with ESA member states industries instead of transporting it to non-Member-States has led to barter arrangements with partner agencies. Various arrangements with NASA allowed ESA to receive early utilisation opportunities in the US Laboratory and on NASA’s external platform and up/down transportation services in the Space Shuttle for pressurised external payloads. The Columbus launch barter arrangement allowed ESA to pay for the launch of Columbus by the Space Shuttle with hardware elements made in Europe instead of transferring money. The agreement with RKA on the Data Management System for the Russian Service Module provided ESA with
Figure 4. Columbus
laboratory.
initial docking mechanisms for the ATV manufactured in Russia. These arrangements have permitted to keep an estimated 6 250 million spending in Europe with Member States industries.
Barter agreements Early utilisation MOU with NASA
In exchange for early ISS internal and external payload flight opportunities the family of Microgravity Science Glovebox, -80” Freezer and Hexapod, known collectively as the Laboratory Support Equipment, is being developed by ESA for NASA.
ESA made all necessary arrangements with Airbus Industries (including payment of the agreed price) for the provision to NASA of a Super Guppy Transporter, and NASA provides to ESA a total of 450 kg of up/downmass, including associated Shuttle services for ESA pressurised payloads up to 2001. Memorandum of Understanding with RKA for the delivery of DMS-R equipment
This development is part of a barter arrangement whereby ESA obtains initial Russian docking mechanisms for the ATV, thereby avoiding procurement in Non-Member States. Arrangement with AS/ for the delivery of ECLSShardware for MfM
ESA obtains the Columbus Laboratory primary structure in exchange for the delivery of Environmental Control and (ECLSS) hardware for the Italian Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM).
Columbus launch barter
Memorandum of Understanding with NASDA on hardware exchange
This barter arrangement establishes the US Space Shuttle as the Columbus launch vehicle in exchange for ESA
NASDA provides 12 International Standard Payload Racks (originally planned for ESA procurement in the
time-schedule,
(Dot. ESA)
. 1113
US in exchange for ESA providing 1 Flight Unit of the -80” Freezer (MELFI).
Development sbtus Data Management System for fhe Russian Service Module
AI1 flight hardware and software had been delivered to Russia. The delivered hardware and software have been installed in the Service Module and are under integrated system testing. European Robofic Arm
The ground equipment models have been delivered to RKA, as well as the first flight equipment (Basepoints). Qualification model testing has started and the flight Module hardware manufacturing is progressing.
KISS equipment for the lfa/iun MPLM
All equipment had been delivered to AS1 for flight models. The first set of flight hardware has been installed in the MPLM Flight Model 1 (Leonardo) and delivered to NASA/SCK for ground processing in preparation for the first flight in 2000. Nodes 2 and 3
Fixed price contracts have been placed for the develonment. deliverv and operational support. Initially conceived as identical to Node- 2, the design definition of Node 3 had now been changed to convert it to a habitation support module. I
&w.,. P--^
.
Cupo/as 1 and 2
Firm Fixed Price contract had -been signed with industry. AIR
& SPACE
Figure 5. Overall AN configuration. The Automated Transfer Vehicle CAN> will be a servicing and logistics \;ehi&e for periodically r&upplyi6g the station. (Dot. ESA/D. Ducros) EUROPE
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VOL.
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4 - 1999
,. ,.
80” Freezer (MEW)
Hexapod
Flight Module manufacturing has been initiated. The ground units have been built and will be delivered to NASA in 1999. Cryogenic Freezers
The Firm Fixed Price contract has been signed. The initial design phase has been completed and the Preliminary Design Review is underway.
The Invitation to Tender for Phase B and C/D is in preparation with the intention to select the winning consortium in 1999.
European participation in the X-38
Refrigerators/Freezers
Development status
The ESA has approved the procurement (Phase B/C/D) of the Refrigerator Freezer Rack (RFR) System.
The X-38 programme develops the prototype for the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) of the International Space Station. It includes the detailed design and development of an unmanned orbital flight vehicle, called V-201, which will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of the US Space Shuttle in mid-2001 (figure 7).
Glovebox
The flight unit design is nearing finalisation, and the Engineering and Flight Models manufacturing has been initiated. --
1996
-+-
1997
+
1998
Phase
--+---
1999
+--
stori C/O
Figure 6. AN time-schedule. (Dot. ESA)
m:
2000
+
.,
,.
The X-38 cooperation programme is unprecedented. It is the first time that NASA, ESA and ESA industrial contractors together are developing the prototype for a reusable operational, spacep 1ane for which a firm requirement exists. The European participation in the X-38 covers the ESA/NASA cooperative activities until the completion of the X-38 orbital test flight in 2001. Europe plays a major role in the following tasks: vehicle shape and validation, aerodynamic/aerothermal data, base., rudder, body flaps, nose cap, aft fuselage structure, landing gear, thermal control system, water pumps, thermal protection system, guidance, navigation and control for parafoil testing, crew seat, fault-tolerant architecture and computers. Until today, 19 Preliminary Design Reviews and Critical Design Reviews for the ESA Contributions were successfully held. All hardware and software elements are in design and development. Major hardware (aft structure) is already integrated into the Flight Unit since end 1998, and all activities and planned deliveries are on schedule.
Utilisation preparation The ISS utilisation potential is summarised in table II.
200,
Utilisation Promotion In the scope of the Utilisation Promotion, the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for, and the selection of, early Opportunity Payloads (external and internal) took place. Five Microgravity Application Programmes projects were started; furthermore, a definition study for a large +
2002
+---
2003
.^
^.
. International ,...... . ,...,,.....,, ._ .....^^.. . Space ..-... “.. ....”..-.Station ......... “... ---.....-I... ......-...... “I..
,.
Space Science Project (X-Ray Facility) and a PhaseA studyfor one large Earth Observationfacility (Wind Lidar) were initiated. A User Information Centrewasdefined and is under implementationat ESA/ Estec.
-
‘-
1998 -!--
1999 -+--
2001 -+
2000 ---+
v-201 main structureT assemblycomplete 1
-
Launch T of v-201 L
Transport to launcht site (KSC,I
Figure 7. X-38 time-schedule. (DC% ESA)
Hardware development The C/D Phaseswere initiated and are in progress for Standard Payload Outfitting Equipment, Coarse Pointing Device, European Drawer Rack, European Stowage Rack and European Technology Exposure Facility. The contractfor the External PayloadIntegration is in place andthe integration contractfor Columbusinitial launch payload has beeninitiated. Payload transportation Payload transportation was secured through barters (450 kg of Spacehab payload through providing to NASA the Guppy TransportationAircraft and 1375 kg of Express Pallet Adapter up/down-load through providing 2 Cupolasto NASA).
European
astronauts
The most important achievementwas the creation of a single European AstronautCorps,integrating 16 astronauts from ESA and the National Agencies.The first stepof this process hasbeensuccessfullycompleted,with 12astronautsintegratedinto the single EuropeanAstronautsCorps. ESA’s European Astronauts Centre (EAC) has undertakenthe responsibility for all aspectsof. Crew Operations during a number of preparatory missions. Spacemissionswith ESA astronauts: PedroDuque (E): STS-95,October 1998; Jean-PierreHaignere(F): Mir/Perseus(CNES), FebruaryAugust 1999; 9ClaudeNicollier (CH) andJeanFrancoisClervoy (F): STS-103/HubbleRepairMission, October 1999; l
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l
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GerhardThiele (D): European ISS STS99/SRTM, September1999; Exploitation Umberto Guidoni (I): Programme costs STS-lQ2/MPLM,first European The cost structureof the Exploitation astronauton the International Space Programme reflects the nature of the Station,April 2000. Programmeitself, targeted to utilisation, and including operations and European ISS maintenanceactivities:
exploitation programme
Operations Two typesof operationcostsare identified in this Programme: systemopem#orls co&: These cover operations and maintenanceof Europeanelementsandassociated control centres and ground communication systems, including spares,engineering and logistic support, aswell asastronautsupport.ESA managementcostsare also included. Thesecostsare independentfrom the utilisation performed, and are therefore fixed costs. common ope~ons costs; Theseareassociatedwith ESA’sshare of common operations, i.e. activities necessaryfor the functioning of the Stationas a whole (e.g. transportation of crew supplies). ESA shareof commonoperationobligationsis 8.3%of commonoperations costs associatedto the non-Russian part of ISS; commonoperationsobligations are offset with ArianeS/ATV flights. These costsare independentfrom the utilisation performed, and are therefore fixed costs.
In the 1995 Declaration of the International Space Station Development Programme, Europe confirmed its participation in the Station and outlined an Exploitation Programmecovering the years up to 2013, to be decided upon in the year 2000 at the latest. The ISS Exploitation Programme is the follow-on of the investmentmade by Europe in the ISS Development Programme.The purpose of the programme is to enable the European User’s community- including the private sector- to usethe ISS for at least 10 years. The ESA Ministerial Council in Brusselson 11/12May 1999endorsed the overall Exploitation Programme and agreed to the decision-making mechanismfor the consecutiveprogrammeperiods. The Council. approved the so-called Early Activities with cormnitmentsin 200012001of E 346.1 million. Within this envelope,the fixed costsare subscribed at 94.04% and the variable costsareoutlined at 66.25%. Due to the shortfall in variable cost,a programmeSlice to cover CRV activities in exchange for NASA reim- Utilisation bursableserviceswas openedfor sub- Utilisation covers: scription until 31 July 1999. Payloadintegration; l
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& SPACE
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Payload support equipment; Payload transportation ground processing and operations; Purchase of communication services (e.g.; TDRSS Ku-band services). ESA’s utilisation rights (resources, crew flight opportunities, transportation and communication services) are 8.3% of the capability of the nonRussian part of ISS. l
Reimbursable services of another Partner (such as NASA transportation or high rate date services) are also offset by means of Ariane YATV flights and the European contribution to the Crew Return Vehicle. These costs are dependent on the utilisation performed, and are therefore, in the long term, variable n costs. l
l&L. li’!!I :i ,’ :j,..! : ,i
Dieter lsakeit of Manned and Microgravity ESA l Estec
PO.Box299
l
rr
AG Noordwijk
, The Netherlands
.,
,.
European Elements of the International Space Station European
Space
Agency
Europe contributes to the International Space Station by providing, not only the Columbus laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) but also many other flight elements and ground elements, and by participating in the X-38 (Crew Return Vehicle) related studies.
T
he European contribution to the International Space Station can be categorised into flight elements and ground elements: Flight elements include the two system elements from the Declaration on the European Participation in the International Space Station (Toulouse, 1995): - Columbus Laboratory including the Microgravity Facilities for Columbus (MFC), and Provision for External payload Accommodation; - Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) launched on Ariane 5, for logistics, refuel and reboost missions; Other flight elements are contributed by ESA as part of barter agreements with NASA and other International Space Station Partners (Russia, Japan, Canada) in exchange of hardware and services provided by the Partners to ESA; Ground elements include operations control centres, engineering support and user support centres, medical facilities, logistics support facilities, test equipment, mock-ups, simulators, crew training equipment, software and any facilities necessary to house these items; Ground elements also include a dedicated communication network built around a hub in Europe, connecting all these facilities with each other and with the partner facilities. l
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l
l
The flight elements The European flight elements are indicated infigures 1 and 2: the Columbus Laboratory with Facilities and Microgravity Provisions for External Payload Accommodation; the Automated Transfer Vehicle WV; participation in the ‘X-38’ Crew Return Vehicle items; *the Data Management System; the European Robotic Arm; various support equipment; 2 cupolas; . node 2 and node 3; the Multi-Purpose Logistic Module (MPLM) and its associated Environmental Control Life Support (ECLS). l
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l
l l l
l
Columbus
laboratory
Development status The prime contractor for the Columbus development (see figure 3) is DaimlerChryster Aerospace (Dasa) in Bremen, Germany, leading a consortium of 41 companies in 14 countries. A fixed price development contract (Phase C/D) with Dasa was signed in March 1996 @gure 4). With a value of E 650 million, it is the largest single development contract ever placed by ESA.
The Preliminary Design Reviews (PRD) were successfully completed end 1997 on equipment, subsystems and system level. The External Payload Facility and the Enhanced Payload Communications Capability have been added. The integration of the Electrical Test Model began in mid-1998, and its test phase has started. Manufacture of flight hardware has started in April 1998 with the Environmental Control and Life Support System and the Data Management System. The manufacture of the Flight Module Primary Structure is progressing. The launch of Columbus onboard the Space Shuttle has been secured through a barter agreement with NASA. The Firm Fixed Price contracts for Biolab, Fluids Science Laboratory (FSL) and Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) Phase C/D and for the European Physiology Module (EPM) Phase B/C/D were signed.
Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Development programme The prime contractor for the ATV @gure 5) development is Aerospatiale in Les Mureaux, France. For the later production phase DaimlerChrysler Aerospace in Bremen, Germany, will
International Space Station ............ ..... ................ .... ...“. ..... .......... ...” ............... ....... .._............................. ..__._.........._ .... “..“” ....... ............. ...” ...... -............... .._ ............... ...” _...” ..” _... ...” ....-..... ....... ........... ...... ............ ............. .._ .... ...” ........ .... ....... ..-. ............ .................... .... .............. ......................... ............. ......
F@ure 1. Europe’s contributions to the International Space Station. The main ESA elements - Columbus, AN and MFC - are in dark blue. ASi’s MPLM is in pink, and GSA-provided items for other Purtners’eiements are in light b/ue. Right: MPLM will be attached underneath Node-2 during normal operations. In fact, it remains berthed only while the Space Shuffle is docked to the Space Station - the spaceplane is omitted here for clarify (DOG ESA/Alenia Aerospazio)
bethe contractor.The phaseC/D fixed price development contract with a value of 6 408 million (1997 economic conditions) was sinned in November 1998 yigure 6). W Role and mission of the ATI,r have been completed with the Russian
SpaceAgency RIM and NASA. An
The completion of the predevelopment of the rendezvous equipment -.&r\s. .“,l,.. n within the ATV Rendezvous Pre~IWU . -:---CQJM _ LL)beperformedby RKA developmentproject (ARP) was fol:gia as well as Russian and KKK Tenet lowed by 3 successfulflight demonhardware procurement for both the strations. These demonstrationssigdevelopmentand exploitation phases. nificantly reduce the risk to the AW vehicle development, for which the rendezvous sensor,developed under ARP,will be used. agreement
was reached
nn ATV inte-
l
DMrbuHon of European operations functions and facltMes This is displayedin table Z.
European deliveries to other partners F@tre 2. The worlds largest cooperative venture will need a constant stream of supply vesselsonce it is operational. ESA’sAutomated Transfer Vehicle is seen docked at top leti Columbus is housed at front left (DOG.ESA/D. Ducros).
The wish to offer the Europeanuser community the possibility to fly experimentsand astronautson the station before the arrival of the European ColumbusLaboratory in orbit, to find the most cost-effective solutions for the development of the hardware
AIR & SPACE EUROPE
l
VOL.
I
l
No 4 - I999
Elements. in .ISS delivery to NASA of Nodes 2 and 3, cryogenic freezers, refrigerators/freezers, and sustaining engineering associated with ground software development equipment. Cupola barter
ESA obtains from NASA up/down transportation of 5 External Payload complements, totalling 1250 kg in exchange for the delivery and subsequent sustaining engineering of two Cupolas for the ISS. Super Guppy Transporfer barter
Fiaore 3. ESA’s Columbus EsA/D. Ducros)
module
is a general purpose
laboratory
(Dot. .-__
needed by Europe and its partners, and to spend European tax-payers’ money in Europe with ESA member states industries instead of transporting it to non-Member-States has led to barter arrangements with partner agencies. Various arrangements with NASA allowed ESA to receive early utilisation opportunities in the US Laboratory and on NASA’s external platform and up/down transportation services in the Space Shuttle for pressurised external payloads. The Columbus launch barter arrangement allowed ESA to pay for the launch of Columbus by the Space Shuttle with hardware elements made in Europe instead of transferring money. The agreement with RKA on the Data Management System for the Russian Service Module provided ESA with
Figure 4. Columbus
laboratory.
initial docking mechanisms for the ATV manufactured in Russia. These arrangements have permitted to keep an estimated 6 250 million spending in Europe with Member States industries.
Barter agreements Early utilisation MOU with NASA
In exchange for early ISS internal and external payload flight opportunities the family of Microgravity Science Glovebox, -80” Freezer and Hexapod, known collectively as the Laboratory Support Equipment, is being developed by ESA for NASA.
ESA made all necessary arrangements with Airbus Industries (including payment of the agreed price) for the provision to NASA of a Super Guppy Transporter, and NASA provides to ESA a total of 450 kg of up/downmass, including associated Shuttle services for ESA pressurised payloads up to 2001. Memorandum of Understanding with RKA for the delivery of DMS-R equipment
This development is part of a barter arrangement whereby ESA obtains initial Russian docking mechanisms for the ATV, thereby avoiding procurement in Non-Member States. Arrangement with AS/ for the delivery of ECLSShardware for MfM
ESA obtains the Columbus Laboratory primary structure in exchange for the delivery of Environmental Control and (ECLSS) hardware for the Italian Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM).
Columbus launch barter
Memorandum of Understanding with NASDA on hardware exchange
This barter arrangement establishes the US Space Shuttle as the Columbus launch vehicle in exchange for ESA
NASDA provides 12 International Standard Payload Racks (originally planned for ESA procurement in the
time-schedule,
(Dot. ESA)
. 1113
US in exchange for ESA providing 1 Flight Unit of the -80” Freezer (MELFI).
Development sbtus Data Management System for fhe Russian Service Module
AI1 flight hardware and software had been delivered to Russia. The delivered hardware and software have been installed in the Service Module and are under integrated system testing. European Robofic Arm
The ground equipment models have been delivered to RKA, as well as the first flight equipment (Basepoints). Qualification model testing has started and the flight Module hardware manufacturing is progressing.
KISS equipment for the lfa/iun MPLM
All equipment had been delivered to AS1 for flight models. The first set of flight hardware has been installed in the MPLM Flight Model 1 (Leonardo) and delivered to NASA/SCK for ground processing in preparation for the first flight in 2000. Nodes 2 and 3
Fixed price contracts have been placed for the develonment. deliverv and operational support. Initially conceived as identical to Node- 2, the design definition of Node 3 had now been changed to convert it to a habitation support module. I
&w.,. P--^
.
Cupo/as 1 and 2
Firm Fixed Price contract had -been signed with industry. AIR
& SPACE
Figure 5. Overall AN configuration. The Automated Transfer Vehicle CAN> will be a servicing and logistics \;ehi&e for periodically r&upplyi6g the station. (Dot. ESA/D. Ducros) EUROPE
l
VOL.
I * No
4 - 1999
,. ,.
80” Freezer (MEW)
Hexapod
Flight Module manufacturing has been initiated. The ground units have been built and will be delivered to NASA in 1999. Cryogenic Freezers
The Firm Fixed Price contract has been signed. The initial design phase has been completed and the Preliminary Design Review is underway.
The Invitation to Tender for Phase B and C/D is in preparation with the intention to select the winning consortium in 1999.
European participation in the X-38
Refrigerators/Freezers
Development status
The ESA has approved the procurement (Phase B/C/D) of the Refrigerator Freezer Rack (RFR) System.
The X-38 programme develops the prototype for the Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) of the International Space Station. It includes the detailed design and development of an unmanned orbital flight vehicle, called V-201, which will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of the US Space Shuttle in mid-2001 (figure 7).
Glovebox
The flight unit design is nearing finalisation, and the Engineering and Flight Models manufacturing has been initiated. --
1996
-+-
1997
+
1998
Phase
--+---
1999
+--
stori C/O
Figure 6. AN time-schedule. (Dot. ESA)
m:
2000
+
.,
,.
The X-38 cooperation programme is unprecedented. It is the first time that NASA, ESA and ESA industrial contractors together are developing the prototype for a reusable operational, spacep 1ane for which a firm requirement exists. The European participation in the X-38 covers the ESA/NASA cooperative activities until the completion of the X-38 orbital test flight in 2001. Europe plays a major role in the following tasks: vehicle shape and validation, aerodynamic/aerothermal data, base., rudder, body flaps, nose cap, aft fuselage structure, landing gear, thermal control system, water pumps, thermal protection system, guidance, navigation and control for parafoil testing, crew seat, fault-tolerant architecture and computers. Until today, 19 Preliminary Design Reviews and Critical Design Reviews for the ESA Contributions were successfully held. All hardware and software elements are in design and development. Major hardware (aft structure) is already integrated into the Flight Unit since end 1998, and all activities and planned deliveries are on schedule.
Utilisation preparation The ISS utilisation potential is summarised in table II.
200,
Utilisation Promotion In the scope of the Utilisation Promotion, the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for, and the selection of, early Opportunity Payloads (external and internal) took place. Five Microgravity Application Programmes projects were started; furthermore, a definition study for a large +
2002
+---
2003
.^
^.
. International ,...... . ,...,,.....,, ._ .....^^.. . Space ..-... “.. ....”..-.Station ......... “... ---.....-I... ......-...... “I..
,.
Space Science Project (X-Ray Facility) and a PhaseA studyfor one large Earth Observationfacility (Wind Lidar) were initiated. A User Information Centrewasdefined and is under implementationat ESA/ Estec.
-
‘-
1998 -!--
1999 -+--
2001 -+
2000 ---+
v-201 main structureT assemblycomplete 1
-
Launch T of v-201 L
Transport to launcht site (KSC,I
Figure 7. X-38 time-schedule. (DC% ESA)
Hardware development The C/D Phaseswere initiated and are in progress for Standard Payload Outfitting Equipment, Coarse Pointing Device, European Drawer Rack, European Stowage Rack and European Technology Exposure Facility. The contractfor the External PayloadIntegration is in place andthe integration contractfor Columbusinitial launch payload has beeninitiated. Payload transportation Payload transportation was secured through barters (450 kg of Spacehab payload through providing to NASA the Guppy TransportationAircraft and 1375 kg of Express Pallet Adapter up/down-load through providing 2 Cupolasto NASA).
European
astronauts
The most important achievementwas the creation of a single European AstronautCorps,integrating 16 astronauts from ESA and the National Agencies.The first stepof this process hasbeensuccessfullycompleted,with 12astronautsintegratedinto the single EuropeanAstronautsCorps. ESA’s European Astronauts Centre (EAC) has undertakenthe responsibility for all aspectsof. Crew Operations during a number of preparatory missions. Spacemissionswith ESA astronauts: PedroDuque (E): STS-95,October 1998; Jean-PierreHaignere(F): Mir/Perseus(CNES), FebruaryAugust 1999; 9ClaudeNicollier (CH) andJeanFrancoisClervoy (F): STS-103/HubbleRepairMission, October 1999; l
l
l
l
GerhardThiele (D): European ISS STS99/SRTM, September1999; Exploitation Umberto Guidoni (I): Programme costs STS-lQ2/MPLM,first European The cost structureof the Exploitation astronauton the International Space Programme reflects the nature of the Station,April 2000. Programmeitself, targeted to utilisation, and including operations and European ISS maintenanceactivities:
exploitation programme
Operations Two typesof operationcostsare identified in this Programme: systemopem#orls co&: These cover operations and maintenanceof Europeanelementsandassociated control centres and ground communication systems, including spares,engineering and logistic support, aswell asastronautsupport.ESA managementcostsare also included. Thesecostsare independentfrom the utilisation performed, and are therefore fixed costs. common ope~ons costs; Theseareassociatedwith ESA’sshare of common operations, i.e. activities necessaryfor the functioning of the Stationas a whole (e.g. transportation of crew supplies). ESA shareof commonoperationobligationsis 8.3%of commonoperations costs associatedto the non-Russian part of ISS; commonoperationsobligations are offset with ArianeS/ATV flights. These costsare independentfrom the utilisation performed, and are therefore fixed costs.
In the 1995 Declaration of the International Space Station Development Programme, Europe confirmed its participation in the Station and outlined an Exploitation Programmecovering the years up to 2013, to be decided upon in the year 2000 at the latest. The ISS Exploitation Programme is the follow-on of the investmentmade by Europe in the ISS Development Programme.The purpose of the programme is to enable the European User’s community- including the private sector- to usethe ISS for at least 10 years. The ESA Ministerial Council in Brusselson 11/12May 1999endorsed the overall Exploitation Programme and agreed to the decision-making mechanismfor the consecutiveprogrammeperiods. The Council. approved the so-called Early Activities with cormnitmentsin 200012001of E 346.1 million. Within this envelope,the fixed costsare subscribed at 94.04% and the variable costsareoutlined at 66.25%. Due to the shortfall in variable cost,a programmeSlice to cover CRV activities in exchange for NASA reim- Utilisation bursableserviceswas openedfor sub- Utilisation covers: scription until 31 July 1999. Payloadintegration; l
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Payload support equipment; Payload transportation ground processing and operations; Purchase of communication services (e.g.; TDRSS Ku-band services). ESA’s utilisation rights (resources, crew flight opportunities, transportation and communication services) are 8.3% of the capability of the nonRussian part of ISS. l
Reimbursable services of another Partner (such as NASA transportation or high rate date services) are also offset by means of Ariane YATV flights and the European contribution to the Crew Return Vehicle. These costs are dependent on the utilisation performed, and are therefore, in the long term, variable n costs. l
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Dieter lsakeit of Manned and Microgravity ESA l Estec
PO.Box299
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AG Noordwijk
, The Netherlands