Fig. 3.9a. CIS modules. : layout of a typical CIS module.
The CIS (cell-in-space) modules have been used in four sounding rocket flights, as described in Table 3.1. The CIS concept is based on a modular approach, enabling the parallel accommodation of three-four independent experiments. The design is compatible with both TEXUS and MASER. The four missions executed up to 1993 were all within MASER (3- 6); 13 experiments were performed in total. Fig. 3.9 illustrates the different CIS modules. Further information can be found in refs. 1 and 2.
CIS-1
Length: 476 mm
Diameter: 403 mm
Mass:
55 kg
This was the first version of the CIS module.
Simultaneous reference experiments were executed in the 1 g set-
up, which included a turntable to prevent sedimentation of the
sample material (Fig. 3.9a).
Fig. 3.9a. CIS modules. : layout of a typical CIS module.
CIS-2
Length: 476 mm
Diameter: 403 mm
Mass: 56 kg
For its second flight,
the CIS module was provided with a pre-launch external cooling
loop and an internal heat exchanger to improve the system's
thermal performance.
CIS-3
Length: 476 mm
Diameter: 403 mm
Mass:
61 kg
For its third flight, the CIS module was again
refurbished and upgraded. For the CIS-3 electro-cell-fusion
experiment, a new facility subsystem was developed. The 'Electro-
Pulse' subsystem for the generation of high voltage pulses for
the experiment was accommodated on the module's turntable. A copy
was also introduced in the 1 g set-up (Fig. 3.9b).
Fig. 3.9b. CIS modules. : CIS-3 module flown in MASER 5.
in MASER 6. d: CIS-4 module. (Fokker Space)
CIS-4
Length: 1155 mm
Diameter: 403 mm
Mass: 116 kg
This was a completely new development,
accom-modating more experiment hardware. All experiments had 1
g controls performed in a collection of mini-centrifuges, and
microscope images from the experiment samples were stored on
onboard video recorders. The electronics were completely
reorganised into a fully distributed control system. The CIS-4
module consisted of four stacked 'submodules': three 'work
modules' containing the experiments and video recorders, and a
'core module' with the central controller and batteries (Figs.
3.9c and 3.9d).
Fig. 3.9c. CIS modules. : layout of the CIS-4 module flown IN maser 6.
Fig. 3.9d. CIS modules. : CIS-4 module. (Fokker Space)
CIS experiments are executed by 'Experiment Units', containing the experiment samples and the required experiment liquids (medium, activating liquids, fixatives). Over the different flights, a variety of experiment units has been developed, meeting the specific requirements posed by the different experiments.
The experiments are executed by injecting liquids from storage chambers into the sample chamber, where either liquid exchange or liquid addition takes place. On all flights, the injections were automated by the release of spring-loaded plungers ('plunger box units'). For two CIS-1 experiments, units of a different design were used ('flexible tube units'). During the first two flights, different dimensions were adopted for the experiment units, but from CIS-3 onwards all unit designs were kept dimensionally compatible with the ESA type I container used in the Biorack and Biobox facilities.
The Flexible Tube Unit
This device consists of a
structure with eight silicon rubber tubes (Fig. 3.10). Each tube
has a central compartment containing the cell culture and two
lateral compartments for reagents such as activators or fixative.
The compartments are separated by spring-loaded rollers. By
melting retaining wires at pre-programmed times, these rollers
are released and mixing is induced.
Fig. 3.10. The Flexible Tube Unit. a): a unit assembled with
eight independent tubes. b): three compartments (up to 400 µl
each) in a silicon rubber tube are separated by two rollers. At
a pre-programmed time, a heater wire melts a nylon string to
release a spring, mixing two solutions as the roller is pulled
towards one end. c: the loaded unit. (CCM)
The Plunger Box Unit
This unit flew several times
in different modifications in all CIS modules and was also used
in the TEM 06-15 module flown on TEXUS 17 and MASER 3. The liquid
in the culture compartment can be replaced by liquid from a
storage compartment by releasing a spring-loaded plunger. The
plungers are released by melting retaining wires. The Plunger Box
Units are dimensionally compatible with the Biorack type I
container. The unit types used in CIS are:
Fig. 3.11. The Plunger Box Unit. a: the assembled unit.
b: diagram of the 'mono' unit.
c: diagram of the 'duplex' unit.
d:the unit loaded with frog eggs and installed in TEM 06-15 in TEXUS 17. (CCM)
Fig. 3.12. Video Observation Box. a: assembly of four Plunger
Box Units and one sample connected to the microscope observation
system. It is loaded with sea urchin eggs for installation in
CIS-4 (MASER 6).
b: diagram of the miscroscope pbservation system. (CCM)
The Plunger Box Mix Unit
This unit (Fig. 3.13) was
used on CIS-2 and CIS-3, carrying lymphocytes and sea urchin
eggs. It is a double-sized unit, based on the same plunger
principle as the Plunger Box Units, except that the liquids are
all collected in the sample chamber. Specially designed orifices
ensure that the liquids are properly mixed. Each unit has six
sample chambers (1.8 ml), each connected to two liquid chambers
(0.6 ml).
Fig. 3.13. The Plunger Box Mix Unit. a: the assembled unit.
b: diagram of the units used for sea urchin eggs and lymphocytes.
c: assembly of two units for installation in CIS-4 on MASER 6.
(CCM/Fokker Space)
The CIS missions were prepared and operated by Fokker Space & Systems (now Fokker Space) and subcontractors to ESA under contract with the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC). The Centre for Construction and Mechatronics (CCM) developed the experiment-specific hardware and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) provided the facility electronic system, including software. The electropulser on CIS-3 was designed and built by the Central Research Workshops of the Erasmus University, Rotterdam. The facility's technology development was funded partially by the Netherlands Agency for Aerospace Programes (NIVR).
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