Canada and the International Space Station Program
- Paper number
IAC-07-B3.1.04
- Author
Mr. William Harvey, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Savinder Sachdev, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Graham Gibbs, Canadian Embassy, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Benoit Marcotte, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Coauthor
Dr. Nicole Buckley, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Timothy Braithwaite, Canadian Space Agency, United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
NOTE: This is a placeholder Abstract The Paper describes Canadian activities in support of the ISS since IAC2006. Specifically covered are Canadian robotic accomplishments during Shuttle ISS assembly missions beginning with the STS-115 mission, during which Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean was the first Canadian astronaut to operate Canadarm2, the space station robotic arm to perform an assembly task (the P3/P4 truss segment installation), and Steve became the second Canadian to walk in space during a difficult EVA to enable rotation of the new solar array. With the next shuttle flight, STS-116 12A.1, Canadian robotics were again highlighted during the mission which featured a now routine handoff of the P5 truss from the shuttle Canadarm to the ISS Canadarm2 that was then used to position the truss for attachment to the P4 truss, a very delicate maneuvre . That mission also saw Canadarm2 assist in the critical EVA activities to resolve the P6 solar array retraction problems. Canadian robotics will also be featured during the March 2007 STS-117 mission as the shuttle Canadarm removes the S3/S4 truss segment from the shuttle’s cargo bay and hands off to the station Canadarm2 for installation on the station’s starboard truss structure. In June 2007, the STS-118 mission will become the 22nd shuttle flight to the International Space Station. It will continue space station construction by delivering S5, a third starboard truss segment. Canadian astronaut Dave Williams will be part of the STS-118 crew and will perform EVAs to continue assembly of the ISS. At the time of this submission the ESA ATV1 Jules Verne is tentatively scheduled to fly to station in July 2007, after which the next Shuttle mission in September 2007 STS-120 will launch the Italian-built U.S. multi-port module Node 2 to be installed on station. As with previous missions, these will be carried out with the aid of Canadian robotics. The Paper also provides the CSA perspective of the ISS Partners Heads Of Agency meeting held on January 23, 2007, when key decisions were endorsed for the ISS assembly sequence and transportation plans. At this meeting, the ISS Partnership reaffirmed its commitment to complete the ISS and to establish a sustainable six-person crew. In addition to past activities the Paper will address upcoming ISS events with Canadian involvement such as the STS-122 November launch of the ESA Columbus module including the CSA Microgravity Vibration Isolation System (MVIS), and STS123, scheduled for December 2007 or January 2008 which will launch the CSA two-armed dexterous robot Dextre. and the JAXA Experiment Logistics Module-Pressurized Section which will later be attached to the Kibo laboratory scheduled for launch in late February 2008. In 2007, Canadian scientists will be making use of ISS as a science platform with ELERAD and as more astronaut subjects participate in PMDIS. Our international partnership in science continues with our support of the German experiment TRAC , our NASA collaboration in the future experiments CCISS and CAMBIUM/APEX and several collaborations between Canada and ESA in physical science experiments. In recognition of the current challenges of conducting science on ISS, CSA has recently issued a "low resource" announcement of opportunity which will be briefly described. The International Space Station is a uniquely positioned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) research laboratory to conduct scientific research and to assist in the development of space exploration technologies, space operations and human spaceflight and long duration studies. Canada has secured its rights of access and utilization that will enable use of the ISS as a test-bed for its exploration-related activities and to develop operational standards applicable to longer missions foreseen to the Moon and Mars.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B3.1.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.