Japanese Experiment Module

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The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibō (希望, Hope) is the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station and is produced by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

It consists of 4 components:

• The Pressurized Module (PM) is the core component. It is of cylindrical shape, 11.2 m long and 4.4 m in diameter. It contains 10 International Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs).
• The Exposed Facility (EF), also known as 'Terrace' is located outside the port cone of the PM (which is equipped with an airlocked hatch). Experiments are fully exposed to the space environment here.
• The Experiment Logistics Module (ELM) contain a pressurized section to serve the PM and an unpressurized section to serve the EF. It is placed atop the port side of the PM, and is highly movable. It is intended as a storage and transportation module.
• 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.

Contents 1 Launch plans and progress 2 Specifications 3 Planned Experiments on Kibo 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Launch plans and progress

On May 30, 2003 the PM left Japan for John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and is now in the Space Station Processing Facility. The ELM PS arrived at KSC March 12, 2007.^[1]

As of August 2004, NASA plans to launch the entire JEM complex in three flights:

• Experiment Logistics Module (ELM) PS - December 2007 (Shuttle flight STS-123).
• Kibo Pressurized Module (PM), JEM Sys Racks, Remote Manipulator System (JEM RMS) - February 2008 (Shuttle flight STS-124).
• Exposed Facility (EF) - October 2008 (Shuttle flight STS-127).

[edit] Specifications

Kibō is the largest single ISS module. At the start of the program, it was the smallest, but the other partners, Europe and the US, reduced the size of their respective laboratory modules, while the dimensions of Kibō never changed.

• Pressurized Module
  • Length: 11.2 m
  • Diameter: 4.4 m
  • Mass: 15,900 kg

• Experiment Logistics Module
  • Length: 3.9 m
  • Diameter: 4.4 m
  • Mass: 4,200 kg

[edit] Planned Experiments on Kibo

MAXI x-ray astronomy from 0.5 to 30 keV^[2]
SMILES observes and monitors very weak sub-millimeter wave emission lines of trace gas molecules in the stratosphere^[3]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• http://iss.sfo.jaxa.jp/iss/index_e.html -- NASDA's site on JEM

v • d • e  Components of the International Space Station

Already launched: Zarya | Unity (Node 1) | Zvezda | Destiny | Quest airlock | Pirs airlock Launched periodically: Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Scheduled for Shuttle: Harmony (Node 2) | Columbus | Kibō | SPDM | Node 3 | Cupola Scheduled for Proton: Multipurpose Laboratory Module | European Robotic Arm | Russian Research Module Other subsystems: Integrated Truss Structure | Canadarm2 Canceled or unused: Interim Control Module | Universal Docking Module | Docking and Stowage Module | Habitation Module | Crew Return Vehicle | Propulsion Module Ships: Soyuz | Progress | H-II Transfer Vehicle | Automated Transfer Vehicle See also: assembly sequence