 | |
| Module statistics | |
|---|---|
| Part of | International Space Station |
| Launch date | 7 February 2008, 19:45 UTC |
| Launch vehicle | Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-122) |
| Berthed | 11 February 2008 (Harmony starboard) |
| Mass | 10,300 kg (22,700 lb) |
| Length | 6.9 m (23 ft) |
| Diameter | 4.5 m (15 ft) |
Columbus is a science laboratory module that forms part of theInternational Space Station (ISS) and represents theEuropean Space Agency's (ESA) largest single contribution to the station. It was constructed inTurin, Italy, by Alcatel Alenia Space (nowThales Alenia Space) with functional equipment and software designed by EADS (nowAirbus Defence and Space) inBremen, Germany. The module was launched aboardSpace Shuttle Atlantis on 7 February 2008, during missionSTS-122.Columbus is operated by theColumbus Control Centre at theGerman Space Operations Center, part of theGerman Aerospace Center (DLR) inOberpfaffenhofen nearMunich. In 2008, ESA estimated the total cost ofColumbus—including construction, ten years of operations, scientific experiments, and supporting ground infrastructure—at approximately€1.4 billion (aboutUS$2 billion).[1]
The structure used forColumbus is based on theMPLM module built forNASA by Thales Alenia Space. In 2000 the pre-integrated module (structure including harness and tubing) was delivered to Bremen in Germany by the Co-prime contractor Alenia. The final integration and system testing was performed by the overall prime contractor EADS Astrium Space Transportation, after that the initial Payload was integrated and the overall complement checked-out.[2]
The final schedule was much longer than originally planned due to development problems (several caused by the complex responsibility splitting between the Co-prime and the Overall prime contractor) and design changes introduced by ESA but being affordable due to the Shuttle problems delaying theColumbus launch for several years. The main design change was the addition of theExternal Payload Facility (EPF), which was driven by the different European Payload organizations being more interested in outer space than internal experiments. Also the addition of a terminal for direct communications to/from ground, which could have been used also as back-up for the ISS system, was studied but not implemented for cost reasons.[citation needed]
ESA choseEADS Astrium Space Transportation as prime contractor forColumbus overall design, verification and integration. TheColumbus structure, the micro-meteorite protection system, the active and passive thermal control, the environmental control, the harness and all the related ground support equipment were designed and qualified byAlcatel Alenia Space in Turin, Italy as defined by the PICA – Principle (for definition see History below); the related hardware was pre-integrated and sent as PICA in September 2001 to Bremen. The lab was built and qualified on system level at the EADS Astrium Space Transportation facilities in Bremen, Germany.[3]
Columbus was launched under the ESA–NASA ISS bartering system. Under this arrangement, the ESA agreed to provide NASA with the fully integratedHarmony andTranquility node modules, along with additional equipment and parts, in exchange for the launch ofColumbus and its initial payload aboard the Space Shuttle. This barter allowed ESA to secure launch services without a direct financial transaction, and enabling those funds to remain within ESA member states.[4][5]
On 27 May 2006Columbus was flown from Bremen to theSpace Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at theKennedy Space Center on board anAirbus Beluga oversized cargo aircraft. In November 2007,Columbus was moved out of the SSPF and loaded into the payload bay of theAtlantis orbiter for launch on ISS assembly flight 1E (STS-122).[6][7]
During cryo-filling of theSpace Shuttle External Tank (ET) withliquid hydrogen andliquid oxygen prior to the first launch attempt on 6 December 2007, two of four liquid hydrogen ECO sensors failed a test. Mission rules called for at least three of the four sensors to be in working order for a launch attempt to proceed. As a result of the failure, the launch was postponeded, initially for 24 hours. This was later revised into a 72-hour delay, resulting in a next launch attempt set for Sunday, 9 December 2007. This launch attempt was scrubbed when one of the ECO sensors again failed during fuelling. The ECO sensors' external connector was changed on the Space Shuttle external tank, causing a two-month delay in the launch.Columbus was finally launched successfully on the third attempt at 2:45pm EST, 7 February 2008.[8]
Once in space, the station'sCanadarm2 removedColumbus from the docked shuttle's cargo bay and attached it to the starboard berth ofHarmony on 11 February 2008.[9]
The laboratory is a cylindrical module, made from stainless steel, kevlar and hardened aluminum, with two end cones. It is 4.477 m (14 ft 8.3 in) in external diameter and 6.871 m (22 ft 6.5 in) in overall length, excluding the projecting external experiment racks. Its shape is very similar to that of theMulti-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs), since both were designed to fit in the cargo bay of aSpace Shuttle orbiter. The starboard end cone contains most of the laboratory's on-board computers. The port end cone contains theCommon Berthing Mechanism.
Activities in the lab are controlled on the ground by theColumbus Control Center (atDLROberpfaffenhofen in Germany) and by the associated User Support Operations Centres throughout Europe.
The laboratory can accommodate ten activeInternational Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs) for science payloads. Agreements with NASA allocate to ESA 51% usage of theColumbus Laboratory.[12] ESA is thus allocated five active rack locations, with the other five being allocated to NASA. Four active rack locations are on the forward side of the deck, four on the aft side, and two are in overhead locations. Three of the deck racks are filled with life support and cooling systems. The remaining deck rack and the two remaining overhead racks are storage racks.
The following European ISPRs have been initially installed insideColumbus:
In addition, four un-pressurized payload platforms can be attached outside the starboard cone, on theColumbus External Payload Facility (CEPF).[14] Each external payload is mounted on an adaptor able to accommodate small instruments and experiments totalling up to 230 kilograms (507 lb).[15] The first external payloads were mounted onColumbus by crew members of the mission STS-122 mission. Some of the external payloads are:
Planned additional external payloads:
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Notes: † Never inhabited due to launch or on-orbit failure, ‡ Part of theAlmaz military program, ° Never inhabited, lacks docking mechanism. | |||||||||
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