First experience with Realtime Operations of the Columbus Module
- Paper number
IAC-08.B3.3.3
- Author
Dr. Dieter Sabath, DLR GSOC, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Dirk Schulze-Varnholt, EADS Astrium GmbH, Germany
- Year
2008
- Abstract
On 7 February 2008 the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center to bring the Columbus module to the International Space Station. After docking of STS-122 to the station on 9 February the module was berthed to Node 2 (Harmony) and activated. After the outfitting of the module, relocation of some of the payload racks the commissioning activities started. Already during the 1E mission the external payloads EUTEF and Solar were mated in an EVA and activated by the FCT. Immediately after the activation and commissioning of the Biolab rack in Columbus the first payload WAICO was started in this facility. In the next weeks the Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) will be activated and the first experiment will start. Additionally the Columbus module will receive 4 more US racks during the 2 upcoming Shuttle flights 1 J/A and 1 J. To support the crew operations on board ISS the Flight Control Team at the Columbus Control Center will be on console for 24 hours / 7 days a week for upcoming years. The team is responsible for operating the Columbus System, monitoring all the relevant subsystem, commanding the module and perform trouble shooting together with the Engineering Support Team (EST) in case of problems. Additionally the FCT coordinates the payload operations by the User Support and Operations Centers all over Europe and the US Payload racks operated by the POIC at MSFC in Huntsville, Alabama. The paper will present the experiences gained during the first months of operations of the Columbus modules, the necessary backroom work to support the teams on console, the coordination work with payload centers and the lessons learned during this period.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.B3.3.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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