Kibō (Japanese:きぼう;lit.'Hope'), also known as theJapanese Experiment Module (JEM), is a Japanese science module for theInternational Space Station (ISS) developed byJAXA. It is the largest single ISS module, and is attached to theHarmony module. The first two pieces of the module were launched onSpace Shuttle missionsSTS-123 andSTS-124. The third and final components were launched onSTS-127.[1]
The Pressurized Module (PM) is the core component connected to the port hatch ofHarmony. It is cylindrical in shape and contains twenty-threeInternational Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs), ten of which are dedicated to science experiments while the remaining thirteen are dedicated toKibō's systems and storage.[4] The racks are placed in a 6-6-6-5 format along the four walls of the module. The end of the PM has an airlock and two window hatches. The exposed facility, experiment logistics module, and remote manipulator system all connect to the PM. It is the location for many of the press conferences that take place on board the station.
The Exposed Facility (EF), also known as "Terrace", is located outside the port cone of the PM (which is equipped with an airlock). The EF has twelve Exposed Facility Unit (EFU) ports which attach to Payload Interface Unit (PIU) connectors on EF-equipment exchange units (EF-EEUs). All experiment payloads are fully exposed to the space environment. For proper functioning of these experiments, the payload requires anorbital replacement unit (ORU), consisting of the electrical power system (EPS), communications and tracking (CT), and the thermal control system (TCS). Of the twelve ORUs, eight are replaceable by the JEMRMS while the other four areEVA-replaceable.
The experiment logistics module (ELM) includes two sections:
The pressurized section (ELM-PS), also called the JLP (Japanese logistics pressurized), is a pressurized addition to the PM. It is used as a storage facility, providing storage space for experiment payloads, samples and spare items.[5]
The unpressurized (external) section (ELM-ES) serves as a storage and transportation module. It was used to transfer external experiments with theSpace Shuttle. It is not used after the retirement of the shuttle.[6][7]
The JEM remote manipulator system (JEMRMS) is a 10 m (33 ft) robotic arm, mounted at the port cone of the PM. It is used for servicing the EF and for moving equipment to and from the ELM. The JEMRMS control console was launched while inside the ELM-PS, and the main arm was launched with the PM. The small fine arm, which is 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long and attaches to the end effector of the main arm, was launched aboardHTV-1 on the maiden flight of theHTV spacecraft. Once HTV had docked, the small fine arm was assembled by the crew and deployed outside the airlock to test it. The JEMRMS grappled the arm and unfolded it to flex the joints before stowing it onto the EF.[8] The free end of the JEMRMS is able to use the same type ofgrapple fixtures that theCanadarm2 uses.[9]
Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS) consists of a rack of communication module in the Pressurized Module (ICS-PM) and the antenna module to be attached on the Exposed Facility (ICS-EF).[10] It was used to communicate with the ground station via JAXA's communication technology demonstration satelliteDRTS "Kodama" [ja]. After the decommissioning of DRTS in August 2017,Kibō relies on the ISS'sKu band communication through NASA'sTDRSS. ICS-EF was disposed by jettisoning into orbit in February 2020[11] and reentered on March 17, 2023[12] over Sacramento, California.[13]
The EF and ELM-ES arriving at the Kennedy Space Center
Technicians working on the remote manipulator system at KSC
NASA launched the JEM complex over three flights using theSpace Shuttle. The shuttle had a large payload bay which carried the modules into orbit along with the crew. This is in contrast to the Russian modules, which are launched into orbit on multistageProton rockets and then rendezvous and dock with the station automatically.
On 30 May 2003, thePressurized Module (PM), the main laboratory, arrived at KSC from Japan.[16] It was stored at the SSPF until launched into orbit aboardDiscovery on 31 May 2008 as part of theSTS-124 mission.[17] On 3 June 2008, the PM was attached to theHarmony module. At first the ELM-PS, the small cargo bay, was connected to a temporary location onHarmony and later, on 6 June 2008, was moved to its final berthing location on top (zenith) of the main laboratory.
TheExposed Facility (EF) andExperiment Logistics Module-External Section (ELM-ES) arrived at KSC on 24 September 2008.[18] The two elements were launched onEndeavour on 15 July 2009 as part of theSTS-127 mission.[19] The ELM-ES was brought back toEarth at the end of the mission. The assembly of the EF was completed during the fifth spacewalk of the mission.[20]
Close view of the exterior panels of the Pressurized Module and Logistics Module, duringSTS-132A prototype for the Small Fine Arm was tested during theSTS-85 space shuttle mission in 1997.[21]
Handling Capacity: Max. 7000 kg (Payload size: 1.85m x 1.0m x 0.8m / weight: less than 500 kg[clarification needed])
Small Fine Arm (SFA)
Length: 2.2 metres (7 ft 3 in)
Mass: 190 kilograms (420 lb)
Handling Capacity: Max. 80kg with Compliance Control Mode, Max. 300kg without Compliance Control Mode(ORU size: 0.62 x 0.42 x 0.41m / weight: 80kg max)
The module and all its integrated accessories were manufactured at theTsukuba Space Center in Japan. It is made from stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum.
MAXI – X-ray astronomy from 0.5 to 30keV.[27] Exposed Facility Slot 1.
STP-H9-SWELL (Space Wireless Energy Laser Link), A test payload forLaser Communications a follow on toOPALS,Electric Propulsion Electrostatic Analyzer, A test device that will demonstrate re-boost usingIon Propulsion,Neutron Radiation Detection Instrument from NRL,Variable Voltage Ion Protection Experiment from NRL,ECLIPSE (Experiment for Characterizing the Lower Ionosphere and Production of Sporadic-E),Glowbug, cosmic ray detector built in conjunction with NASA, an experiment that will study cosmic rays for two years,SpaceCube Edge Node Intelligent Collaboration, an experiment built byNASA Goddard that will study microchips and artificial intelligence exposed to the vacuum of space, andSOHIP, a hyperspectral imager built byLivermore Labs that will study the atmosphere for two years. Exposed Facility Slot 7 port originally heldHREP andGEDI which was relocated to Slot 6 and placed in hibernation.[28] Moved to Slot 2 in September 2025.[29]
OCO-3 – Monitoring of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere using a flight spare fromOCO-2.[30] Relocated back to Slot 3 and placed in hibernation.
NREP – Nanoracks External Platform, at Slot 4.
i-SEEP – IVA-replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform (JAXA). Mounted to Exposed Facility Slot 5.[31] It is a platform to support small-to-medium (less than 200 kg) payloads. Experiments on the i-SEEP platform are HDTV-EF2 (since 2017), GPSR/Wheel,[32] SOLISS (since 2019 removed in 2023 and stowed), and SeCRETS .[33]
GEDI – Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation on ISS. Exposed Facility Slot 6 in hibernation untilSTP-H8 is removed andMOLI is installed. Port originally heldICS-EF and temporary heldCREAM until it was relocated to Slot 13 on the roof of the Logistics Module and placed in hibernation.
STP Houston 8 Payload-COWVR andTEMPEST[34] Launched onSpaceX CRS-24 in 2021. Exposed Facility Slot 2 port originally heldCREAM which was moved to Slot 13 on the roof and stowed in hibernation. Moved to Slot 7 in September 2025.[35]
HISUI – Hyperspectral Imager Suite (METI) replacement forHREP which ended its mission in 2017.[36] Exposed Facility Slot 8 port originally heldMCE.
CALET – CALorimetric Electron Telescope (JAXA), observation for high energy cosmic rays. Launched aboardKounotori 5 (HTV-5).[37] Mass: 2500 kg.[38] Exposed Facility Slot 9 port originally heldSEDA-AP.
ECOSTRESS – Ecosystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station.[39] Exposed Facility Slot 10 port originally held the ELM-ES and the HTV Transfer Pallet.
CREAM – Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass Experiment. Launched onSpaceX CRS-12 in 2017. Initially at Exposed Facility Slot 2. Moved to Slot 7 in 2021[41] and back to Slot 2 in 2023 to make room for STP Houston 9. Logistics Module Slot 13 in hibernation untilSTP-H9 is removed then it will go back to Slot 2.
ExHAM 1 and 2 – External Facility Handrail Attach Mechanism (JAXA).[42] Mounted to the deck on handrails in the forward and aft locations next to slots 7 and 10.
SEDA-AP – Space Environment Data Acquisition equipment-Attached Payload. Measures neutrons, plasma, heavy ions, and high-energy light particles in the station's orbit.
ICS-EF – Inter-orbit Communication System-Exposed Facility, Japanese communication system. Originally at the Exposed Facility Slot 7.[48]
ILLUMA-T – Laser communication payload. Originally at Exposed Facility Slot 3 port originally heldSMILES andOCO 3.[49]
^"STP-H9".Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved26 April 2023.
^利用状況と今後の予定 (in Japanese). JAXA. 3 September 2025. Retrieved16 September 2025.
^"OCO-3". NASA Science Mission Directorate.Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved7 May 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
^宇宙探査イノベーションハブとリコー、 THETAをベースに共同開発したカメラで360°全天球静止画・動画を撮影・公開 [Space Exploration Innovation Hub and Ricoh jointly develop a THETA-based camera to capture and release 360° spherical still images and videos] (in Japanese). JAXA. 17 October 2019. Archived fromthe original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved25 February 2020.
^利用状況と今後の予定 | 「きぼう」利用のご案内 | JAXA 有人宇宙技術部門 [Usage status and future plans - "Kibo" Usage Guide - JAXA Human Space Technology Directorate] (in Japanese). JAXA. 9 March 2022. Retrieved12 March 2022.
^利用状況と今後の予定 [Usage status and future plans] (in Japanese). JAXA. 22 December 2021. Retrieved23 December 2021.
^きぼう船外設置の宇宙環境計測ミッション装置（SEDA-AP）をISSから廃棄しました [The Space Environment Observation and Analysis Mission Payload (SEDA-AP) was discarded from the ISS.] (in Japanese). JAXA. 21 December 2018. Retrieved21 December 2018.
^衛星間通信システム船外部（ICS-EF）をISSから廃棄しました [The Inter-Satellite Communication System External Module (ICS-EF) was discarded from the ISS.] (in Japanese). JAXA. 25 February 2020. Retrieved25 February 2020.
Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
