Node 2, Node 3 and Cupola after more than one year of on orbit operations

Paper number

IAC-11,B3,3,9,x10893

Author

Dr. Annamaria Piras, Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Andrea Geraci, Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Philippe Deloo, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mrs. Alessandra Stragapede, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Year

2011

Abstract

Node 2, Node 3 and Cupola are now operational with the International Space Station (ISS) since their assembly and activation during the 10A (Node 2) and 20A (Node 3 and Cupola) missions occurred in October 2007 and February 2010 respectively. 

These complex elements provide the ISS with specific new functionalities, basically all the life support and crew support functions as well as the enhanced capabilities associated to visibility and robotics. The arrival of Node 3 in particular allowed for major reconfiguration of the living spaces on board the space station, while Cupola brought an unprecedented point of view for the ISS robotics operations.

Thales Alenia Space-Italy (TAS-I), as part of  Industrial Operations Team ( IOT) is involved in the utilization phase for Sustaining Engineering of Node 2, Node 3 and Cupola in a unique experience, including the real time support during mission of visiting vehicles to Node 2, as well as   support to reconfiguration activities, troubleshooting and performance evaluation.

Node 2 ,  Node 3 and  Cupola are ESA-NASA Barter elements, therefore  are now NASA property. Even if NASA is the responsible of their operations, a Sustaining Engineering agreement is in place between  the  two space agencies , which defines the rules and procedures for the ESA involvement and responsibilities in  the sustaining engineering support to NASA.

This paper describes the relevant aspects of the European sustaining engineering  support  to the Node 2 Node 3 and Cupola operations  and shares the lessons learned derived by this experience,  for the benefit of  new development projects and the following phases of utilization.

Abstract document

IAC-11,B3,3,9,x10893.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-11,B3,3,9,x10893.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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