Artist's impression of the International Space Station
Artist's impression of the International Space Station
Several alternative scenarios for the European participation in the International Space Station were elaborated during the first half of 1995 to respond to the interests and economic constraints of Member States. A close dialogue with NASA was maintained throughout the year to ensure the evolving European programme baseline remained compatible with the overall assembly sequence of the Station. The elements finally selected for the programme proposal included the development of the Columbus Orbital Facility (COF), a pressurised laboratory, permanently attached to the International Space Station, and of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) for the automatic, unmanned transport of cargo to the Station using the Ariane-5 launcher. The programme proposal also included activities for the preparation of the Utilisation Programme, along with a two-year study programme for a Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV). This proposal was submitted to the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level in Toulouse in October.
The Ministerial Council responded positively to the Agency's proposal and, following the adoption of the Programme Declaration, the transition from the ongoing programme slices to the newly approved elements was initiated.
In addition to the programme elements approved by the Ministerial Council, Europe will also be present on the International Space Station with several other elements, commonly referred to as the 'Early Delivery Items', which were already approved by the Participating States in 1994.
Following the International Space Station redesign exercise during the years 1993/1994, and in particular the entry of Russia as an International Partner into the programme, discussions were continued on a revised Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), covering all Station partners, and on a revised bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ESA and NASA. These complex negotiations continued throughout 1995, and it is hoped to conclude them by mid-1996.
An important milestone occurred in October 1995, when an agreement with NASA was achieved on a cost ceiling for the ESA share of common Space Station operations obligations. Furthermore, a consensus was reached on the possibility of offsetting these obligations with the provision of services in kind, rather than payment in cash.
Columbus Orbital Facility (COF)
Work in Industry, funded under a bridging-phase arrangement,
concentrated on
development of a proposal based upon a design-to-cost approach
in order to respect the funding constraints. A committing offer
was received from Industry for the full COF development, which
confirmed the target cost established by the Executive.
The Columbus Orbital Facility (COF)
Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).
The study phase for the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) continued,
including
preparatory activities for the validation of the systems for
rendezvous with the International Space Station. This study phase
will now be extended before embarking on the main development
programme, following the decision to stretch the overall ATV
programme development schedule, with a first flight now planned
for early 2002.
The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV)
Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator (ARD)
Work continued apace on the Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator (ARD)
programme, mindful of the schedule constraints dictated by the
launch on the second Ariane-5 demonstration flight, scheduled for
late 1996. Vehicle and subsystem design reviews took place in the
January-March period, confirming the ARD design and its adequacy
to meet mission objectives.
The Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator (ARD)
Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV)
The first phase of the mission feasibility study was completed at the
end of June.
Substantial progress was achieved in the consolidation of the
system and subsystem architectures of the two vehicle types
studied: a Crew Rescue Vehicle (CRV), and a Crew Transport
Vehicle, derived from the CRV, launched by Ariane-5. Following
requests from Member States to include a detailed definition
study in the Executive's programme proposal for the European
participation in the International Space Station, it was decided
to propose the development of a Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV)
without passing through the step of a Crew Rescue Vehicle. The
approach retained for the proposal, which will be further studied
during the definition phase together with other options,
contained the development of a CTV with an intermediate step
consisting of an in-orbit test flight using an unmanned capsule
transporting payload to and from the Station.
The European Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV)
Manned Space Transportation Technology
Prior to the
programme decisions of the Toulouse Ministerial Council, the
transportation aspects in the context of Europe's participation
in the International Space Station were covered by the Manned
Space Transportation Programme (MSTP). This programme also
contained activities in the field of manned space transportation
technology. Amongst the activities performed in the numerous
contracts dealing with new technologies for manned space
transportation, those linked to reentry and landing of a manned
vehicle were of particular interest due to their novelty for
Europe. Investigations initiated in this area included the use
of deployable semi-rigid wings, parafoils and retro-rockets, and
work on short-cycle ceramic technology. Progress was also made
in other areas, such as lithium batteries, antennas, materials,
insulation, life-support equipment and test facilities.
Early Deliveries
During 1994, several programme
elements were approved as early deliveries to the International
Space Station programme to be bartered against early utilisation
rights, and other benefits. An accelerated timetable was defined
for these elements, and progress during 1995 can be summarised
as follows:
European Robotic Arm (ERA): The ERA development proposal was negotiated with Industry during the first half of the year. In parallel with the contract negotiations, work at system and subsystem level continued and a number of key system-level specifications and standards were finalised and agreed with the prime contractor.
Structural model of the ERA
Data Management System for the Russian Service Module (DMS-R): Considerable progress was made in defining the detailed technical baseline, including all interfaces to the Russian segment of the Station. Discussions with the Russian Space Agency (RKA) successfully concluded the negotiation of the DMS-R barter agreement defining the Russian contribution of docking mechanism units for the Automated Transfer Vehicle, in exchange for the Data Management System.
In the area of the Laboratory Support Equipment, most activities continued in Phase-B. Full authorisation of the Phase- B for the -80 degrees Freezer was released in June. Activities on the Microgravity Glovebox focussed on the development of the mock-up, and the Crew and Safety Reviews were successfully completed with NASA in August. Following the issue of the Phase-B tender action for the Hexapod, proposals were received from two industrial consortia and the full go-ahead was approved in July.
Mission Data Base (MDB): Software releases were provided to NASA during the year, and the system was used by them in a pre- operational role. Final delivery took place in December. Prototyping activities for possible further deliveries to NASA under a separate contract were initiated.
Environmental Control and Life-Support System (ECLS) for the MPLM This programme was formally approved in July. In exchange for delivery of three ECLS units to the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for use in the Mini-Pressurised Logistics Module (MPLM), the Agency will be provided with the COF primary structure, thus reducing the cost of the COF development programme. The ESA/ASI Cooperative Arrangement defining the scope of this exchange agreement was finalised towards the end of the year, and was approved by the ESA Council in December.
The MPLM mounted under the Ariane-5 fairing
The opportunities for the direct utilisation by Europe of the International Space Station will only start in late 2002. A solid ground-based preparation and intermediate precursor flight opportunities are therefore essential in order to assure the continuity of European manned space utilisation and to prepare the users for the exploitation of the Station.
Consequently, the utilisation potential of the Station continued to be promoted with workshops and meetings throughout Europe. Both the research community and Industry were addressed. Emphasis was also given to the coordination of operation and utilisation activities with the other partners in the International Space Station Programme. To support the utilisation planning, a number of studies were undertaken focusing on the utilisation potential of the Station for European technology payloads and projects, in particular to qualify and validate equipment, functions, operational techniques, and new systems.
ESA astronaut activities in Europe focussed on the preparation of the Euromir 95 mission. Intensive training programmes were undertaken by the ESA astronauts Christer Fuglesang and Thomas Reiter, with specific attention given to training for extravehicular activities (EVA). Russian astronauts also participated in European experiment familiarisation programmes, held at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne.
The Euromir 95 crew in orbit, with Thomas Reiter on the right
The Euromir 95 mission itself was initiated on 3 September with the successful launch of the Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur with Thomas Reiter on board, followed by the docking with the Mir space station two days later. This marked the start of a planned 135-day mission on board the Mir station, the longest ever for a European astronaut. In October, the Russian authorities proposed an extension of the mission to 180 days, to make optimum use of the available resources. This was agreed, and consequently the programme of scientific experimentation for ESA was extended, including a second EVA sortie for Thomas Reiter. Ground support to the astronauts was provided both from Russia and from the European Astronaut Centre. During the Euromir 95 mission, the Mir station was also visited by the American Space Shuttle 'Atlantis'.
The Euromir 95 crew before boarding the Soyuz launcher in Baikonur on 3
September
In the United States, ESA astronauts worked together with the NASA crew members on the preparation of Shuttle mission STS-75, scheduled for early 1996. Two ESA astronauts, Claude Nicollier and Maurizio Cheli, were involved in final integrated simulations. In addition, ESA astronaut Pedro Duque was designated as an alternate Payload Specialist for the LMS-1 mission (STS-78) and underwent training for this mission, mainly in the USA. ESA astronaut Jean-François Clervoy followed mission-independent training courses and supported further NASA development and validation activities in the field of robotics and control systems.