Operations Planning for the International Space Station

R. Luettgens & J. Volpp

The planning process for the decade-long operation of the International Space Station (ISS) has to take into account the unique characteristics of this endeavour with its five International Partners: the USA (NASA), Russia (RSA), Japan (NASDA), Canada (CSA) and Europe (ESA). Each Partner is providing at least one space-segment element and will operate it quite independently within an agreed resource envelope. Each Partner, apart from Canada, will also provide an Earth-to-orbit vehicle for Space Station re-supply and logistics operations. The major European contributions are the Columbus Orbital Facility (COF) and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) launched by Ariane-5.