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The Standard Interface Rack (SIR) was developed to fill the need for a modular payload interface for crew-supported space platforms which facilitates easy payload integration and verification. The International Subrack Standard Interface (ISSI), based on the SIR, was established to provide the capability to interchange payloads within the International Space Station. The ISSI provides common mechanical, electrical, data and thermal interfaces to modular subrack payload drawers, and allows payloads to be integrated into any ISSI-compatible rack system on the ground or on orbit, without the use of tools, independent of specific space platforms or pressurized modules.

The Life Sciences Glovebox will provide the bioisolated environment to support on-orbit operations involving non-human live specimens and samples for human life sciences experiments. It will be part of the Centrifuge Facility, in which animal and plant specimens are housed in bioisolated Habitat modules and transported to the Glovebox as part of the experiment protocols supported by the crew. At the Glovebox, up to two crew members and two Habitat modules must be accommodated to provide flexibility and support optimal operations. This paper will present several innovative design concepts that attempt to satisfy the basic Glovebox requirements. These concepts were evaluated for ergonomics and ease of operations using computer modeling and full-scale mockups. The more promising ideas were presented to scientists and astronauts for their evaluation. Their comments, and the results from other evaluations are presented.