NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services: Cygnus Spacecraft delivered

NASA's partnership with industry to develop transportation to the International Space Station reached another step Aug. 23, as the cargo module for Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Cygnus spacecraft, which will carry supplies to the station, arrived at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled for a demonstration flight early next year on an Orbital Taurus II launch vehicle under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services agreement with the company. All photos credit: NASA/Wallops Flight Facility

Thales Alenia Space reports it has shipped its first Pressurized Cargo Module, designed to transport cargo to the International Space Station, to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The PCM, developed on behalf of Cygnus prime contractor Orbital Sciences Corporation, was carried by an Antonov An-24 cargo plane.

At Wallops, Orbital will integrate the PCM with the Service Module (including the avionics, propulsion subsystem and power supply) to produce the complete Cygnus spacecraft.

This vehicle will fly a demonstration mission in early 2012, using Orbital's Taurus II launcher, under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement.

Read more on this story from the Thales Alenia Space PCM side

Following the demonstration flight, within the scope of the CRS (Commercial Resupply Service) contract signed by Orbital and NASA, Thales Alenia Space will provide Orbital with eight more pressurized modules for cargo missions to the International Space Station, including crew supplies, spare parts and scientific experiments.

The first PCM will be followed by three more units in "standard" configuration, capable of transporting up to 2,000 kg of cargo each, along with five "enhanced" configuration units, boosting payload capacity to 2,700 kg.

The CygnusTM spacecraft comprises a Service Module (SM) built by Orbital, and a Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) developed by Thales Alenia Space.

Building on 30 years of experience in space infrastructures and transportation systems, Cygnus PCM developed by Thales Alenia Space calls on the company's skills and expertise developed through previous programs for the International Space Station.

Previous Thales Alenia Space programs include; the MPLM (Multipurpose Logistics Module), built by the company on behalf of the Italian space agency for NASA, and the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) Cargo Carrier, built by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency (ESA).

Thales Alenia Space is a major contributor to the International Space Station, as a key player in the Columbus laboratory and prime contractor for Node 2, Node 3 and the Cupola.

NASA: Astronauts instal Node 3, Cupola and Tranquility Module

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick conducted the STS-130 mission's first spacewalk on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010.

The spacewalking pair finished all their assigned work and some get-ahead tasks.

The Tranquility node and cupola were robotically maneuvered from Endeavour's payload bay, and then installed onto the port side of the Unity node.

This was the first of three planned spacewalks for the STS-130 mission.

Image Credit: NASA

ESA Cupola Installed on Node 3: Tranquility on ISS

Outside Looking in
NASA astronaut Robert Behnken, STS-130 mission specialist, participates in the mission's second session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station.

More Cupola pics here - Click!

During the five-hour, 54-minute spacewalk, Behnken and astronaut Nicholas Patrick (out of frame), mission specialist, connected two ammonia coolant loops, installed thermal covers around the ammonia hoses, outfitted the Earth-facing port on the Node-3 for the relocation of its Cupola, and installed handrails and a vent valve on the new module. (NASA image S130-E-007858, 14 February 2010)

The biggest window ever launched to space has been installed in its final position on the Earth-facing port of Node-3. The latches and 16 electrically driven bolts were engaged today at 07:31 CET (06:31 GMT). Opening of the window shutters is foreseen for Wednesday.

During the launch of Endeavour the Cupola was attached to Node-3’s end cone docking port, After installing Node-3 on Friday and preparing Cupola for relocation, Cupola was this morning released and manoeuvred to the Node-3’s Earth-facing port where it was reberthed.

Electrical and water lines are now being connected between Node-3 and Cupola, and the Cupola’s window heaters are being activated. Activities related to making Node-3 fully functional also continue.

NASA: ISS Astronauts Hook up ESA Node 3

Endeavour shuttle astronauts Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken work outside the International Space Station during the second spacewalk of the STS-130 mission on Feb. 13 and 14, 2010. Credit: NASA TV.

Two spacewalking astronauts ventured outside the International Space Station late Saturday for a high-flying plumbing job on the orbiting laboratory's newest room.

Endeavour shuttle astronauts Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick hooked up four long hoses to the space station's new Tranquility module in order to supply the room with vital liquid ammonia coolant. The spacewalk, the second in three days for the two astronauts, will allow their crewmates to power up the new space room.

The spacewalkers had to be extra careful of any ammonia leaks while tackling the space plumbing job.

The toxic chemical can pose a health risk to astronauts if it is released inside the space station, and Patrick spotted a tiny leak of ammonia while working with the bulky hoses.

Crystals of frozen ammonia bounced off his spacesuit visor and right glove, but didn't appear to stick to his suit, Patrick said. Behnken described the leak as a brief puff of snowflakes.

"It was about the kind of quantity of stuff that you would expect if you didn't empty the straw at the end of your drink bag," Patrick said.

"If you were drinking ammonia," quipped crewmate Stephen Robinson from inside Endeavour as Patrick laughed.

ESA Node 3 and Cupola (Tranquility Module) Installation

Fabulous picture from the Astronauts of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and ISS, showing the removal of ESA's Node3 from the Shuttle cargobay and the placement of it, prior to installation.

They opened the hatches between Node-1 and Node-3 at 03:17 CET (02:17 GMT) this morning and entered their new module.

For the moment, the module remains passive, with temporary lighting and ventilation, while it is prepared for the relocation of the Cupola window module.

With Node-3 now a part of the International Space Station (ISS), the first racks are being installed. This includes the advanced Resistive Exercise Device and the Air Revitalization System.

The four additional racks – two Water Recovery System racks, the Oxygen Generation System rack and the Waste and Hygiene Compartment – may be installed on the final day of the Shuttle mission if an additional day can be added. Otherwise, they will be moved into Node-3 after the Shuttle departs.

Read the full article on the ESA website - click here ..

NASA Shuttle Endeavour Brings Tranquility, Node 3 and Cupola

Shuttle Endeavour Brings Tranquility, including ESA's Node 3 and Cupola.

Backdropped by the blackness of space, space shuttle Endeavour was photographed by the Expedition 22 crew as the shuttle approached the International Space Station during STS-130 rendezvous and docking operations on Feb. 9, 2010.

The Tranquility node including the ESA Node 3 and Cupola, can be seen in the shuttle's payload bay.

The Cupola observation window can be seen on the righ hand side of the module, inside the shuttle's cargo bay.
Image Credit: NASA

Launch of NASA's Shuttle Endeavour Sparks Early Monday Sunrise

Launch of NASA's Shuttle Endeavour Sparks Early Monday Sunrise

Space shuttle Endeavour lit up the predawn sky above Florida's Space Coast on Monday with a 4:14 a.m. EST launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The shuttle's last scheduled night launch began a 13-day flight to the International Space Station and the final year of shuttle operations.

Endeavour's STS-130 mission will include three spacewalks and the delivery of the Tranquility node, the final major U.S. portion of the station. Tranquility includes the ESA Node 3 and Cupola modules.

Tranquility will provide additional room for crew members and many of the space station's life support and environmental control systems.

Attached to Tranquility is the ESA Cupola with seven windows, which houses a robotic control station. The windows will provide a panoramic view of Earth, celestial objects and visiting spacecraft. After Node 3 and Cupola are added, the orbiting laboratory will be approximately 90 percent complete.

Shortly before liftoff, Commander George Zamka said, "Thanks to the great team that got Tranquility, Node 3, Cupola and Endeavour to this point. And thanks also to the team that got us ready to bring Node 3 and cupola to life. We'll see you in a couple of weeks. It's time to go fly."

Zamka is joined on the flight by Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken. Virts is making his first trip to space.

Endeavour's first landing opportunity at Kennedy is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, at 10:01 p.m. The STS-130 mission will be Endeavour's 24th flight and the 32nd shuttle mission dedicated to station assembly and maintenance.

ESA: Node 3 and Cupola - Tranquility Module

ESA's Director of Human Spaceflight, Mrs. Simonetta Di Pippo and ESA's Head of Node 3 and Cupola Project Office, Mr. Philippe Deloo explain the importance of Node 3 and Cupola to the ISS and Europe.

ESA Node 3 and Cupola - Tranquility Module

Space Shuttle Endeavour will be launched at 10:39 CET on Sunday 7 February towards the International Space Station with two sophisticated modules from Europe: Node-3 ('Tranquility') and Cupola. Their installation will pave the way to completion of the ISS, with more than a third of the pressurised station elements designed, developed and built in Europe.

Node-3 is part of the Columbus launch barter agreement with NASA under which ESA supplied two of the connecting nodes (Node-2 and -3) for the International Space Station (ISS) and additional high-technology laboratory equipment and services to NASA in return for launching Europe’s Columbus laboratory to the ISS in February 2008. Cupola is covered by a separate barter agreement in exchange of the launch and return of five ESA payloads by NASA.

Node-3 will provide more space for equipment and the astronauts. Cupola, the largest and most complex window assembly ever launched into space, will find its home on the Earth-facing port of Node-3. It will provide a unique vantage point for observing Earth and for crew recreation.

ESA Human Spaceflight director Simonetta Di Pippo and Philippe Deloo, Head of Cupola/Nodes Project Office at ESA, tell more about the launch and about the importance of the Node-3 and Cupola on the ESA Webstreaming Network.

ESA: Node 3 and Cupola kit available

http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/ISS/ESA_Node_3_cupola_Infokit.pdf

ISS Node 3 to be shipped to NASA for launch

The European-built Node 3 starts it's journey to the ISS via NASA in Florida

The European-built Node 3 module is an essential component for the much needed expansion of the International Space Station. It will be shipped to NASA's Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, on 17 May. Media representatives are invited to attend a ceremony on 16 May at Thales Alenia Space, Turin, Italy, to mark the departure of Node 3.

Node 3 module was under construction at Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. Once in space, Node 3 will connect to the port side of the Unity Node and will provide room for eight refrigerator-sized racks, two of the locations being used for the avionics racks controlling Node 3.

It will house many of the Station's Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), including an air revitalisation system, an oxygen generator system, a water recycling facility, a waste and hygiene compartment and a treadmill for crew exercise, which are currently stored in various places around the Station.

The Node 3 connecting module is the last element of a barter agreement (no money changes hand) by which ESA supplied NASA with Space Station hardware including the Cupola and two Node modules (Node 2 and 3). In return, NASA ferried the European Columbus laboratory to the ISS in February 2008.

I have to admit that, whilst working at ESA I played a minor role in reviewing and advancing these barter agreements and take some pride in seeing them come to fruition. They are symbolic of the co-operation and mutual support that has been the backbone supporting space exploration and exploitation in Europe, Russia, Japan, Canada and the USA, to date. Let's hope it continues and can be extended to other emerging nations.