Utilization of the European Modular Cultivation System: Opportunities and Support Functions

Paper number

IAC-05-A2.5.01

Author

Mr. Knut Olav Helleseng, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Coauthor

Mr. Arve Gronnevik, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Coauthor

Mr. Knut Robert Fossum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Coauthor

Ms. Ann-Iren Kittang, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Coauthor

Prof., dr.philos Tor-Henning Iversen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

Year

2005

Abstract

The European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) provides a fully controlled system dedicated primarily to experiments on plants, but also insects, amphibians, cell and tissue cultures. The EMCS is the only plant cultivation system scheduled for the International Space Station (ISS) with an on-board 1g-reference. Until Biolab is launched it is also the only facility for cell cultivation with control samples on a centrifuge.

The EMCS design includes a gas tight incubator containing two centrifuges (one static) with four Experiment Containers (ECs) on each rotor. The life support and water supply system, the illumination and the observation system are located on the rotors. The Standard Payload Computer (SPLC), gas supply module and thermal control system are located external to the incubator.

The EMCS consists of a Flight Model (FM), an identical Engineering Model (EM) located on the ground, and two Experiment Reference Models (ERM-1 and ERM-2) on the ground. The flight unit will be accommodated in a NASA Express Rack in the US module "Destiny" on the ISS. The launch of EMCS will be on the Utilization Flight (ULF 1.1) currently scheduled for July 2005. 

The Norwegian User Support and Operations Centre (N-USOC) located at the Plant Biocentre, NTNU, Trondheim has been appointed as the EMCS Facility Responsible Centre (FRC) by ESA. The N-USOC is instrumental for the implementation of the ISS ground segment for payload operations preparation, real-time data dissemination and provisions for instantaneous experiment command processing. The N-USOC will also offer scientific and technical support to PIs who have been selected for EMCS experiments.

Abstract document

IAC-05-A2.5.01.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-A2.5.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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