AEDC contributions to International Space Station remembered during Tennessee Space Week

Using the International Space Station's robotic arm, Canadarm2 (right) NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren prepares to capture Orbital ATK's Cygnus cargo vehicle Dec. 09, 2015. The space station crew and the robotics officer in mission control in Houston positioned Cygnus for installation to the orbiting laboratory's Earth-facing port of the Unity module. The connection to the port uses a common berthing mechanism that was developed by testing at AEDC. Among the more than 7,000 pounds of supplies aboard Cygnus are numerous science and research investigations and technology demonstrations, including a new life science facility that will support studies on cell cultures, bacteria and other microorganisms; a microsatellite deployer and the first microsatellite that will be deployed from the space station; several other educational and technology demonstration CubeSats; and experiments that will study the behavior of gases and liquids, clarify the thermo-physical properties of molten steel, and evaluate flame-resistant textiles. (NASA photo)

AEDC contributions to International Space Station remembered during Tennessee Space Week

This graphic depicts the International Space Station Configuration as of Dec. 23, 2015. (Clockwise from top) The Soyuz spacecraft is docked to the Poisk mini-research module. The ISS Progress 61 spacecraft is docked to the Zvezda service module. The ISS Progress 62 spacecraft is docked to the Pirs docking compartment. The Soyuz spacecraft is docked to the Rassvet mini-research module. The Cygnus-4 cargo craft is berthed to the Unity module. (NASA graphic)

AEDC contributions to International Space Station remembered during Tennessee Space Week

Published Jan. 25, 2016
By Raquel March
AEDC/PA

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- As milestones have been made with the 17-year progression of the International Space Station, AEDC contributions to the development of the ISS are remembered during Tennessee Space Week, Jan. 24-30.

In 1995, the berthing mechanism for the space station underwent extreme temperature tests which provided thermal model validation, defined station keeping power requirements and verified material properties.

The berthing mechanism, built by Boeing, is a primary mechanical interface assembly linking the station modules together. Two test configurations were tested - an active common berthing mechanism and a passive CBM.

Jim Sisco, then AEDC project engineer, stated at the time of the tests, "These are the two, six-foot diameter rings that seal the joint between station modules upon mating. The first ring, called active, houses the powered bolts and actuators that drive the two halves together. The passive, or second ring, provides a seal between the modules when the two halves are mated."

The CBMs were tested in the 12V Aerospace Thermal Vacuum chamber at the Complex, which measures 35-foot high and 12-foot diameter and is able to simulate a space environment temperature of -400 degrees Fahrenheit. Vacuum pumps were used to evacuate the air from the chamber simulating the vacuum of space. Xenon arc lamps provided a solar simulation, equivalent to the sun, which would project a beam of light upon the CBMs during rotation in the chamber.

As of Dec. 9, 2015, the U.S. Cygnus spacecraft, also known as Orbital Sciences CRS Flight 4, berthed to the ISS using the technology tested at the Complex. The next U.S. resupply mission to the ISS, tentatively scheduled for March, is when the SpaceX spacecraft Dragon will dock with the berthing port on the module named Harmony, a utility hub.

The module, originally called Node 2, received the name Harmony through a competition geared toward kindergarten through 12th grade students from 32 states in 2007.

Tennessee Space Week

The Tennessee Education Association Tennessee Space Week is a statewide project designed to increase student and teacher's interest and performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields through a focus on aerospace programs and accomplishments.

Following the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, Jan. 28, 1986, TEA acted to honor the life and teaching of fellow National Education Association member, Christa McAuliffe, who was aboard the Challenger as America's first teacher in space. In her honor, Tennessee Space Week is held each January, the last school week preceding or the school week including Jan. 28.

-AEDC-