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16:31 CET - EVA3 - Installation of SOLAR & EuTEF (video interview)
15 February 2008
I spoke with Martin Zell, ESA's science operations manager, this morning to ask him about SOLAR and EuTEF - the two external science packages that are being installed on Columbus during today's EVA (click on 'Full story' for video report and details). -- Daniel
Martin Zell is responsible for the overall coordination of science operations in Columbus, and he's watching today's EVA with intense interest as the astronauts are scheduled to install two scientific packages on the lab's exterior: EuTEF and SOLAR.
EuTEF (European Technology Exposure Facility) carries experiments requiring exposure to the space environment, while SOLAR is a platform for three scientific instruments that study solar-related phenomena. The two packages were carried into orbit in the shuttle's payload bay, and now must be moved by the astronauts and attached to the exterior end of Columbus.
In the meantime, installation and fitting out of the internal experiments is ongoing; these include:
- Biolab - supports experiments on micro-organisms, cells and tissue cultures, and even small plants and small insects
- The European Physiology Modules Facility (EPM) - a set of experiments that will be used to investigate the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. Experiment results will also contribute to an increased understanding of age-related bone loss, balance disorders and other ailments back on Earth.
- The Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) - will accommodate experiments in the strange behaviour of weightless liquids. These too, could bring far-reaching benefits on Earth: better ways to clean up oil spills, for example, and even improved manufacture of optical lenses.
- The European Drawer Rack (EDR) - is a modular and flexible experiment carrier system for a large variety of scientific disciplines, providing basic accommodation and resources for experiment modules housed within standardised drawers and lockers.
The Columbus laboratory has room for ten International Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs), eight situated in the sidewalls, and two in the ceiling area. Each rack is the size of a telephone booth and able to host its own autonomous and independent laboratory, complete with power and cooling systems, and video and data links back to researchers on Earth.
Q. How did the almost two-month delay affect Columbus science?
The effect at this point is minimal, with no actual implications for the current set of experiments - both the external packages and the science racks inside Columbus. The plant samples for WAICO (Waving and Coiling of Arabidopsis Roots at Different g-levels) had to be removed from Atlantis in December after the delay was confirmed, but then new samples were loaded on board prior to the 7 February launch. These were carried into space as flight deck cargo.
There will be an effect, obviously, down the road when we schedule the return of the current science experiments and the upload of new ones, but it remains to be seen how serious this is. NASA is pressing on with the next Shuttle flights and further ISS assembly accomplishment. I don't expect any major problems and overall delays.
Q. The Columbus experiments have been a long time in planning. How were they selected?
We used a transparent science solicitation and selection process based on a series of research announcements every two to three years that were widely communicated throughout Europe and, partially, even globally. The selection was performed by an independent board of peers external to ESA, which ensured that experiments were chosen based on scientific merit and space relevance. Of course, the final selection was competitive and the outcome was ultimately approved by ESA's Programme Board. Prior to the flight experiment implementation, the proposals also had to pass a technical feasibility scrutiny against certain boundary conditions - the technical hardware feasibility and mission aspects such as transportation; crew-time; and power, data and cooling. During the 3-crew periods on the ISS until spring 2009, we are focusing on less crew-intensive experiments.
Q. How soon can science begin on Columbus?
Some medical experiments already started with Hans and Leo during the Shuttle flight. We have started the vernalisation of the WAICO seeds in MELFI and I think we should have the first of the internal experiments switched on by mid-next week.
The various experiments on the two external payloads, SOLAR and EuTEF being installed today, will also be activated once they are installed on Columbus. Really, we are starting science as soon as possible. The outfitting and commissioning of Columbus as well as the re-location and installation of the racks is going extremely well and the 2-day mission extension will allow us to get ahead of of the planning. Biolab and FSL outfitting was almost finished yesterday, while outfitting the EDR (European Draw Rack) has just started.
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