Japanese Experiment Module

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For other uses of "Kibo", see Kibo (disambiguation).
ISS JAXA JEM module

The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) (Japanese: Kibō きぼう, Hope) is a Japanese science module for the International Space Station (ISS) developed by JAXA. It is the largest single ISS module. The first two pieces of the module were launched on space shuttle missions STS-123 and STS-124. The third and final components were launched on STS-127.[1]

Contents

[edit] Components

Kibō consists of four primary components:

[edit] Pressurized Module

The interior of the Pressurized Module.

The Pressurized Module (PM) is the core component connected to the port hatch of the Node 2 Module. It is a cylindrical shape and contains twenty-three International Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs), ten of which are dedicated to science experiments while the remaining 13 are dedicated to Kibo’s systems and storage.[2] The racks will be placed 6-6-6-5 among the four walls of the module. The end of the JEM-PM has an airlock and two window hatches. The three components: Exposed Facility, Experiment Logisitics Module and the Remote manipulator all connect to the pressurized module.

[edit] Exposed Facility

The Exposed facility as seen from Kibo.

The Exposed Facility (EF), also known as "Terrace", is located outside the port cone of the PM (which is equipped with an airlocked hatch). The EF has 12 EFU (Exposed Facility Unit) Ports that attach to PIU (Payload Interface Unit) Connectors on EF-EEUs (EF-Equipment Exchange Units). All experiment payloads are fully exposed to the space environment. For Proper functioning of these experiment, the payload requires an ORU (Orbital Replacement Units) which consist of the EPS (Electrical Power System), CT (Communicatios & Tracking) and the TCS (Thermal Control System). Of the 12 ORUs, 8 are replaceable by the JEMRMS while the other 4 are EVA replaceable.

[edit] Experiment Logistics Module

The exterior of the Experiment Logistics Module, Pressurized Section (top) and the Pressurized Module (bottom).

The Experiment Logistics Module (ELM), now is in orbit and includes two sections:

  • The Japanese Experiment Logistics Module, Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) –- also called the JLP –- is a pressurized addition to the PM. The module is a storage facility that provides storage space for experiment payloads, samples and spare items.[3]
  • The unpressurized (external) section (ELM-ES) will serve the EF. It is intended as a storage and transportation module.

[edit] Remote Manipulator System

The Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) is a robotic arm, mounted at the port cone of the PM, intended to service the EF and to move equipment from and to ELM. The RMS control console was launched in the ELM-PS. The main arm was launched with the PM. The "Small Fine Arm," which attaches to the end effector of the main arm, was launched with the ELM-ES.[4]

[edit] Launch sequence

A view of the completed Kibo module.

NASA launched the JEM complex over three flights:

  • On 12 March 2007 the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section (ELM-PS) arrived in Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from Japan.[5] It was stored in the Space Station Processing Facility until launched into orbit aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour as part of the STS-123 mission.[6] At first the ELM-PS was connected to a temporary location into Harmony Module (Node 2) and later, on 6 June 2008, was moved to its final destination into the PM's upper section.
  • On 30 May 2003 the Pressurized Module (PM) arrived in KSC from Japan.[7] It was stored in the Space Station Processing Facility until launched into orbit aboard Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-124 mission.[8] On 3 June 2008 the PM was connected to the Harmony Module.
EF and ELM-ES arrive at KSC.
  • The EF and ELM-ES arrived at KSC on 24 September 2008.[9]

The Exposed Facility (EF) and ELM-ES were launched on STS-127, on 15 July 2009.[10] The ELM-ES will be brought back to Earth at the end of the mission. The assembly of the EF was completed during the fifth spacewalk.[11]

[edit] Specifications

JEM PM module in assembly.
JEM ELM module in assembly.

Kibō is the largest single ISS module.

  • Pressurized Module[12]
    • Length: 11.19 m (36.7 ft)
    • Diameter: 4.39 m (14.4 ft)
    • Mass: 14,800 kg (33,000 lb)
  • Experiment Logistics Module[13]
    • Length: 4.21 m (13.8 ft)
    • Diameter: 4.39 m (14.4 ft)
    • Mass: 8,386 kg (18,490 lb)

[edit] Current external experiments on Kibo

  • MAXI X-ray astronomy from 0.5 to 30 keV[14]
  • SMILES observes and monitors very weak sub-millimeter wave emission lines of trace gas molecules in the stratosphere[15]
  • SEDA-AP (Space Environment Data Acquisition equipment-Attached Payload) measures neutrons, plasma, heavy ions, high-energy light particles in ISS orbit.
  • HREP (Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) & Remote Atmospheric & Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS) Experimental Payload)

[edit] Planned external experiments on Kibo

[edit] Current internal experiments on Kibo

  • RYUTAI Rack Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF), Solution Crystallization Observation Facility (SCOF), Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF), Image Processing Unit (IPU)

[edit] Planned internal experiments on Kibo

  • SAIBO Rack Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF), Clean Bench (CB)
  • KOBAIRO Rack Gradient Heating Furnace (GHF)
  • MPSR Multi-Purpose Small payload Rack

[edit] References

  1. ^ Kamiya, Setsuko, "Japan a low-key player in space race", Japan Times, 30 June 2009, p. 3.
  2. ^ "NASA - Kibo Japanese Experiment Module". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/jem.html. 
  3. ^ "STS-123 MCC STATUS REPORT #11". NASA. 2008-03-16. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts123/news/STS-123-11.txt. 
  4. ^ "Remote Manipulator System". JAXA. http://kibo.jaxa.jp/en/about/kibo/rms/. 
  5. ^ "Shipping of the Kibo ELM-PS, Kibo RMS and Kibo experiment racks". JAXA. http://iss.jaxa.jp/iss/kibo/develop_status_51_e.html. 
  6. ^ "NASA's Shuttle Endeavour Begins Mission to the Space Station". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2008/release-20080311.html. 
  7. ^ "Kibo PM arrival in USA". JAXA. http://iss.jaxa.jp/iss/kibo/develop_status_36_e.html. 
  8. ^ "NASA's Shuttle Discovery Launches With Japanese Laboratory". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2008/release-20080531.html. 
  9. ^ "Kennedy Media Gallery - PHOTO NO: KSC-08PD-2924". NASA. http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=37693. 
  10. ^ "STS-127 mission page". http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts127/index.html. 
  11. ^ William Harwood for CBS news (27 July 2009). "Endeavour crew completes fifth and final spacewalk". spaceflightnow.com. http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts127/090727fd13/index4.html. Retrieved 2009-07-29. 
  12. ^ "STS-124 Press Kit" (PDF). NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/228145main_sts124_presskit2.pdf. 
  13. ^ "STS-123 Press Kit" (PDF). NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/215905main_sts123_press_kit_b.pdf. 
  14. ^ "Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image: MAXI". JAXA. http://iss.sfo.jaxa.jp/kibo/kibomefc/maxi_e.html. 
  15. ^ "Superconducting Submillimeter-wave Limb-emission Sounder: SMILES". JAXA. http://iss.sfo.jaxa.jp/kibo/kibomefc/smiles_e.html. 
  16. ^ The CALET project for investigating high energy universe

[edit] External links

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