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Astrium supplies multi-functional research facility (Microgravity Science Glovebox) for the International Space Station

Berlin/Bremen, le 01 mai 2002

With the integration of the first European research facility, the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), into the transport module Leonardo, the countdown for extended use on the International Space Station has begun. After ESA and NASA released the MSG research facility, developed and built by the Space Infrastructure business division of Astrium, for integration, which has been completed in the meantime, launch preparations start now. The glovebox facility integrated into the pressurised transport module (MPLM) "Leonardo" will fly to the International Space Station aboard the US Space Shuttle "Endeavour", on the STS-111UF2 mission on 30 May 2002. The MSG is designed for use on the US Destiny Laboratory.
Complete workplace for researchers in space

With the MSG, a multi-functional experiment platform in space will be made available to institutional and commercial users. Not only does it fulfil requirements in many research disciplines, it also covers many possible experiment constellations by providing a vast range of space technology features:

* Being designed for the first time as a complete payload dual rack ("built-in payload cabinet" for the ISS) with additional international standard drawers, the MSG has a usable volume of 260 litres and is thus four times larger than any of its predecessors used on MIR and Spacelab.
* The MSG provides an enclosed and sealed work volume to allow safe handling of and investigations on critical substances in the future; a sophisticated sensor system and a newly developed computer monitoring system will screen the ISS crew off especially when handling critical materials.
* A modular power supply system ensures adjustment of the MSG to the individual experiment constellation.
* A separate cooling system including air and water cooling ensures appropriate heat dissipation.
* Permanent monitoring of the processes in the transparent work volume is by a newly developed video assembly, featuring four colour cameras, four analogue and digital recorders, and two monitors with a direct downlink (data connection) to Earth.
* The MSG has been designed as a modular facility for a projected operational use of ten years on the ISS; so-called orbital replacement units allow easy hardware maintenance. The software of the computer system can be updated from Earth.

For the first time, the MSG offers users a vast range of possible alternatives in utilisation:

* Manual operation by scientific astronauts
* Switch operation via the MSG front panel
* Semi-automatic operation via the integrated MSG laptop computer
* Fully automatic operation through pre-programmed settings
* line remote control from Earth ("Telescience").

The MSG also ensures permanent data transfer in the bidirectional mode (ISS-Earth and Earth-ISS in parallel).
Applications

Whereas former gloveboxes, for example those used on Spacelab or the MIR station, were mainly used for biological investigations, the new MSG, a multi-disciplinary platform, will allow extensive utilisation. Additional disciplines such as fluid physics and materials science and their development goals will considerably improve the scope of terrestrial investigation through the orbital research opportunities provided by the MSG.

In future, the MSG may be used, for example, to thoroughly investigate the behaviour of ferrofluids. These ferrofluids could act as the surgeon's "nano helpers" in the human body to destroy tumours by being heated.

Promising are also various US applications in materials sciences., for which NASA has already booked considerable MSG utilisation time particularly for US scientists until 2003. Crystal solidification processes and precise monitoring of these processes will pave the way for a new generation of high-performance semi-conductors. Investigations in the field of combustion processes are also planned for the future.

Pursuant to a recently made agreement with NASA, Belgium will perform four European experiments in the MSG on the occasion of the "taxi flight" of a Belgian astronaut scheduled for the end of 2002 The European research programme will mainly focus on subjects such as diffusion analysis to optimise crude oil exploration, hydrothermal crystallisation of advanced nanostructure materials, combustion synthesis of metallic composite materials, and protein crystallisation in the medical sector.

Possible future European research using the MSG will concentrate, for example, on new methods for the production of lightweight materials out of metallic foams, further diffusion analyses to optimise crude oil exploration, or emulsion processes for wide-band applications in the paint and coating industry, in cosmetics manufacturing and lubricant production. Through the production of alloys composed of formerly "incompatible" compounds, conventional industrial applications will also benefit from research in space using the glovebox.

Astrium Bremen: System partner to ESA and internationally recognised competence centre

Considering Astrium's 15-year experience in orbital experiment facilities, ESA commissioned the company's Space Infrastructure business division with the development of a MSG concept in 1994. A lean core team of four engineers (today the team has about ten members) developed a concept for a completely new facility design within a period of just two years. The first fully operational model of the MSG was made between the end of 1996 and 1999; at that time Astrium supplied the so-called Ground Unit to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to provide a basis for MSG experiment development and testing. One year later the astronaut training unit was delivered to Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA, followed by the engineering unit, a ground reference facility for Marshall Space Flight Center, in the middle of 2001. Here, scientists. assisted by NASA experts, prepare their experiments in such a way that completely verified experiments can be launched to the ISS for integration into the MSG flight unit. In the meantime, the MSG ground unit has been returned to Europe to allow preparation of the European experiments.

In October 2001, the flight unit of the Microgravity Science Glovebox was shipped from Bremen, Germany to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. Here the MSG underwent system verification tests. Testing also included electrical and mechanical simulations to check proper functioning under space conditions and compatibility of ISS interfaces. Astrium engineers shared test responsibility with ESA and NASA members of the MSG team.

The contract signed with ESA defines Astrium as system partner for all tasks, from design, construction, involvement of subcontractors and suppliers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, the United States and Japan, system testing and simulation, integration into the MPLM and in-orbit commissioning to maintenance and operation of the MSG. Pursuant to the contract, the MSG will be handed over to NASA by ESA three months after launch, after the in-orbit commissioning phase has been completed successfully.

Astrium, Europe's leading space company, is a joint company of EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (75%) and BAE SYSTEMS (25%). The Space Infrastructure business division of Astrium develops and operates space laboratories and experiment facilities. The division also develops stages and propulsion systems for the Ariane family of launchers as well as propulsion systems for satellites. In 2001, Astrium Space Infrastructure achieved a turnover of about 700 million EUR with a labour force of 3,000.

Your contact:

Kirsten Leung
Astrium Space Infrastructure
Phone: +49-421-539-5326/ Fax: +49-421-539-4534
e-mail: presse-si@astrium-space.com