Kibo (ISS module)

Japanese Experiment Module
Starry sky overlooking Kibo's Exposed Facility and RMS
(25 Feb. 2014) -- A set of NanoRacks CubeSats is deployed by the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer attached to the end of the Japanese robotic arm on the International Space Station

The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), also known with the nickname Kibo (きぼう Kibō, 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]

Components

Kibō consists of six major elements: 1) Pressurized Module (PM), 2) Exposed Facility (EF), 3) Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section (ELM-PS), 4) Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section (ELM-ES), 5) Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), and 6) Inter-orbit Communication System (ICS).[2]

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 cylindrical in 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.[3] The racks are placed 6-6-6-5 along the four walls of the module. The end of the JEM-PM has an airlock and two window hatches. The Exposed Facility, Experiment Logistics Module and the Remote Manipulator System all connect to the pressurized module. Kibo is also the location for many of the press conferences that take place on board the station.

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 airlock). 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 experiments, the payload requires an ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) which consists of the EPS (Electrical Power System), CT (Communications & Tracking) and the TCS (Thermal Control System). Of the 12 ORUs, eight are replaceable by the JEMRMS while the other four are EVA-replaceable.

Experiment Logistics Module

The Experiment Logistics Module (ELM) includes two sections:

Remote Manipulator System

The Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) is a 10m long robotic arm, mounted at the port cone of the PM, intended to service the EF and to move equipment from and to the ELM. The RMS control console was launched while inside the ELM-PS. The main arm was launched with the PM. The "Small Fine Arm", is 2m long and attaches to the end effector of the main arm, was launched aboard.[5]The free end of the arm is able to use the type of grapple fixtures that the Canadarm2 uses.[6]

Launch sequence

Technicians work on the Remote Manipulator System in the Kennedy Space Center in the US. (left) The EF and ELM-ES arrive at KSC. (right)

NASA launched the JEM complex over three flights using the Space Shuttle. The shuttle had a large payload bay which carried the modules into orbit along with the crew. This is in contrast to the Russian modules, which are launched into orbit on multistage Proton rockets and then rendezvous and dock with the station automatically. On 12 March 2007, the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section (ELM-PS), the main laboratory, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) from Japan.[7] It was stored in the Space Station Processing Facility until launched into orbit aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour as part of the STS-123 mission.[8]

Unpacking Kibō in orbit

At first the ELM-PS, the small cargo bay, was connected to a temporary location on the Harmony module (Node 2) and later, on 6 June 2008, was moved to its final destination, or berthing location, on top (zenith) of the main laboratory. On 30 May 2003, the Pressurized Module (PM) arrived at KSC from Japan.[9] It was stored at the Space Station Processing Facility until launched into orbit aboard Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-124 mission.[10] On 3 June 2008 the PM was attached to the Harmony module. The EF and ELM-ES arrived at KSC on 24 September 2008.[11] The Exposed Facility (EF) and ELM-ES were launched on STS-127, on 15 July 2009.[12] The ELM-ES was brought back to Earth at the end of the mission. The assembly of the EF was completed during the fifth spacewalk of the mission.[13]

Specifications

NASDA era graphic

Kibō is the largest single ISS module.

Current external experiments on Kibo

Deorbited with HTV-5:

Planned external experiments on Kibo

Looking alongside

Current internal experiments on Kibo

Kibo in Earth orbit looking forward

Japanese:

American:

Planned internal experiments on Kibo

Parts

Pressurized Module
Experiment Logistics Module
Exposed Facility
Experiment Logistics Module
Remote Manipulator System

See also

References

External links

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