Kibo (ISS module)
List of ISS modules
Kibo (Japaneseきぼうfor hope, originally Japanese Experiment Module JEM ) is a module of the International Space Station ( ISS) and the contribution of the Japanese space agency JAXA to the ISS.
Construction
Kibo is the largest single ISS module and the first manned space project in Japan. It can accommodate up to four astronauts and offers the possibility to carry out experiments in 23 racks, which are planned in the initial use phase 14. The focus of research should be in the field of space medicine, biology and materials science.
Later the space module to be supplied with experiments and racks that are (similar to Progress or ATV ) is brought autonomous Japanese HTV cargo module to the station.
The first component, the experiment Logistics Module (ELM -PS) was launched on 11 March 2008 and docked to the ISS as part of the Shuttle mission STS -123. ELM - PS was temporarily attached to the top ( zenith ) of the Harmony module. The Kibo main assembly Pressurized Module (PM ) and the robot arm (RMS) were taken on 31 May 2008 with the mission STS -124 to the ISS and docked there on 3 June 2008. On June 4, the lock was opened and 21:09 UTC floated A. Hoshide together with K. Nyberg was the first in which at that time for reasons of weight still empty module.
In July 2009, it was transported to the mission STS -127 as the last component, the exterior platform for experiments (EF ) and the outer bearing ( ELM -ES) to the ISS.
The entire unit consists of five parts:
- The pressurized Pressurized Module (PM). It is the central module in which astronauts perform experiments. Its length is 11.2 m with a diameter of 4.4 m and a mass of 15.9 t. There is a small airlock through which, for example, experiments of the Exposed Facility ( EF) can be recovered at the end of the cylindrical module.
- The also pressurized so-called Experiment Logistics Module - Pressurized Section ( ELM -PS). This module is mainly used as storage space. It could have been disconnected from the PM and returned with the space shuttle to Earth and sent up with new material. ELM -PS is 3.9 m long and has a diameter of 4.4 m. The empty weight is 4.2 tons.
- A platform for experimentation. The Exposed Facility ( EF) is 5.60 meters long, 5 meters wide, 4 meters high and is mounted outside the PM. It is 5.1 m wide, 6.0 m long and has a mass of 4 t. Around the platform individual experiment container can be attached.
- The outer bearing - Experiment Logistics Module - Exposed Section ( ELM -ES) is mounted outside the EF. It is 4.9 m wide and 4.2 m long. The unpressurized pallet of HTV can be emptied to ELM -ES with the robotic arms. The ELM -ES was withdrawn after its first use to transport experiments with STS- 127, Shuttle back to Earth and is not a permanent part of the orbit.
- The robotic arm of the Kibo module. The JEMRMS (Japanese experiment modules Remote Manipulator System) consists of a main arm ( Main arm), which is 9.9 m long and the masses can move up to seven tonnes and a smaller arm (small Fine arm), which is docked in need. This small additional arm can perform very precise work.
Experiments at the Exposed Facility ( EF)
The following experiment containers are currently on the twelve Ansteckplätzen ( Exposed Facility Unit - EFU1 to EFU12 ):
- EFU1: MAXI (Monitor of All -sky X -ray Image) - by STS -127 transports
- EFU3: SMILES (Superconducting Submillimeter -Wave Limb- Emission Sounder ) - HTV -1 transported
- EFU6: HREP consisting of HICO ( Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean ) and RAIDS (Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System) - conveyed by HTV -1
- EFU7: ICS -EF (Inter -orbit Communication System) - conveyed by STS -127
- EFU9: SEDA -AP ( Space Environment Data Acquisition Equipment - Attached Payload) - carried by STS -127
As well as for the robot arm:
- SFA (Small Fine Arm ) extension of the robot arm for filigree work - from HTV -1 transported.
Swell
- JAXA: Kibo homepage ( English)
- JAXA: Assembly of Japanese Experiment Module (JEM ) Kibo Fast Approaching (English)