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First European research facility launched to the International Space Station

Kennedy Space Center/Bremen, 06 June 2002

* Astrium supplies unique workplace for researchers in space
* On-orbit commissioning to start in a few weeks
* NASA experiments aboard, a further four projects currently prepared by ESA

With a delay of six days due to technical and weather constraints, the US Space Shuttle "Endeavour" lifted off from Kennedy Space Center (Florida, USA) on Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. (local time). Destination of the 10-day mission will be the International Space Station (ISS). Aboard the Space Shuttle is the MSG Microgravity Science Glovebox research facility, which was developed by Astrium's Space Infrastructure under contract to the European Space Agency ESA, says the Bremen-based company on Thursday.

After Shuttle docking with the Space Station, the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), first European ISS research facility, will be transferred from the transportation module MPLM to the Space Station and moved to its location in the US lab module Destiny. After installation completion the expedition 5 crew will perform the so-called on-orbit commissioning phase. As prime contractor to ESA, Astrium Space Infrastructure will be in charge commissioning and checkout of the MSG.The facility health and status data will be transmitted to the ground station in Huntsville, USA, which will then pass them on to the Astrium simulation and diagnosis room in Bremen, Germany. Via videoconference, a team of experts will monitor the whole commissioning process. All relevant systems will be activated one after the other and checked for proper functioning. After completion of the on-orbit commissioning phase and official MSG handover to NASA, the research facility will be available for science investigations as of August this year. The first experiments to be performed will be from the materials science sector.

This mission will further strenghten co-operation between the two space agencies NASA and ESA: ESA makes the research facility available to NASA and NASA is responsible for MSG delivery to the ISS and for its subsequent operations. NASA, in turn, will allow the European Space Agency to use the facility and the whole Space Station for its own experiments at an early stage.

The four current NASA research projects in MSG will be carried out until 2003. Investigations comprise, for example, the monitoring and analysis of crystal solidification processes to 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 an agreement with NASA, a Belgium astronaut will carry out the first European research project. On the occasion of a second "taxi flight" scheduled for the end of 2002, he will perform the following four experiments: 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.

The MSG is a multi-functional research platform in space, having a usable workvolume of 255 litres. Astronauts have access to the experiments inside the glovebox through built-in glove ports. This will allow investigations into fluids, gases, solid substances and flames in space without endangering the ISS crew and habitable cabin atmosphere or items that are not under investigation. In order to improve Astrium highlights the multi-use capabilities of the MSG, Astrium equipped it with flexible control software, variable illumination and video, electrical power supply, air and water cooling, gas and vacuum connections. The MSG can be operated manually, semi-automatically or remotely from Earth. The MSG ensures best experiment flexibility and quality as well as optimum safety of the scientific astronauts during their work. The facility has been designed for a projected operational use of more than ten years.

Astrium, Europe's leading space company, is a joint company of EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (75%) and BAE SYSTEMS (25%). Astrium Space Infrastructure 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 EUR 700 million with a labour force of 3,000.

Bremen, 6 June 2002

Your contact:
Kirsten Leung
Astrium Space Infrastructure
Phone: 0421-539-5326 / Fax: 0421-539-4534