Technical Paper
A −180°C Cryogenic Freezer for the International Space Station
2005-07-11
2005-01-2903
In the course of CRYOSYSTEM phase B (development phase) financed by the European Space Agency, EADS ST (Germany) has developed an optimized design of a −180°C freezer to be used on board the International Space Station for the freezing and storage of biological samples. The CRYOSYSTEM facility consists of the following main elements: - the CRYORACK, an outfitted standard payload rack (ISPR) accommodating up to three identical Vial Freezers - the Vial Freezer, a dewar vessel capable of fast and ultra-rapid freezing, and storing up to approximately 750 vials below −180°C; the dewar is cooled by a Stirling machine producing > 6 W at 90 K. The Vial Freezer is operational while accommodated in the CRYORACK or attached to the Life Science Glovebox (LSG). The CRYORACK will be able to remain permanently on-orbit for up to 8 years with 2 vial freezers operating as the same time for a maximum of 2 years cumulated of cold time.
