Search Results

This paper presents the active thermal control architecture of Columbus Pressurized Modules. APM (Attached Pressurized Module) and PM-MTFF (Pressurized Module, coupled to the Resource Modute to form the MTFF, Man Tended Free-Flyer). Active thermal control architecture consists of: module- internal water loops collecting heat from directly interfacing P/L's and S/S's, avionic and cabin air loops external freon loop (PM MTFF only) providing removal and transportation of water loop heat loads to the heat rejection system SS (Space Station) based thermal bus providing removal and rejection of docked element water loops heat loads loop control and monitoring functions provided by modulating pumps and valves, temperature, pressure sensors interfacing with an intelligent control unit. Aeritatia is involved as Prime Contractor for the APM and Element Contractor for the PM-MTFF and retains responsibility for the Thermal Control Subsystem of both elements.

The Columbus Attached Pressurised Module (APM) Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) water loop collects the APM waste heat and transfers it to the Space Station Freedom (SSF) Central Thermal Bus (CTB). The interface between the APM water loop and the SSF ammonia loops is achieved with two ammonia/water interloop heat exchangers (IH/X), one being low temperature (LT) and the other moderate temperature (MT). The APM internal water loop provides cooling to payload and subsystem users which have varying temperature requirements at their heat rejection interfaces, and can be categorized as cold branch and warm branch users, (e.g. condensing heat exchanger (CHX) and refrigerator are cold branch users, while Avionic heat exchanger (AHX) and furnace payloads would be warm branch users.)

Thermal control design of Columbus pressurised modules has evolved throughout phases B and C0 of the program leading to the C/D proposal emission. Proposal comments by the European Space Agency (ESA), negotiation of interfaces between Space Station Freedom (SSF) partners, possible advantageous design commonalities among the attached pressurised modules and MTFF reconfiguration are ongoing activities. This paper discusses the design solutions presented in the thermal control subsystem C/D proposal including modifications deriving from updated ESA requirements and preliminary feedback from negotiation of interfaces.

The COLUMBUS Attached Pressurized Module (APM) is the European orbiting laboratory which will be permanently attached to the International Space Station Freedom (SSF). It is designed to provide a range of laboratory facilities in a microgravity environment for payload experiments originating from the international payload-user community. The individual payloads will in general be mounted in payload racks which can be accommodated in fixed positions on the left and right hand sides of the laboratory and in the ceiling. International standard payload racks (ISPR) can be located in any of the SSF laboratory elements and find compatible interface conditions subject to agreements made between the international partners (NASA, NASDA and ESA). The APM design provides a water cooling capability by means of moderate temperature (MT) and low temperature (LT) pumped fluid loops. The cooling loops serve both the APM essential subsystem equipment as well as the payload users.