The international space station. Major Components - Essay Example

15 April International Space Station Introduction The US launched its first satellite Explorer I in 1958, soon after the Soviet Sputnik in 1957. This was the start of space race. The race is in the Cold War era when both nations strived for supremacy in every field. The period was a set of high tension incidents without direct military action. With the space race both countries achieved success in some sectors. The US was successful in landing Apollo missions to the moon, whereas the Soviets were able to build Space Station Mir. The Mir Space Station was built gradually over time and modules were added to the basic structure. The US efforts started President Reagan authorizing the Space Station Freedom (Catchpole 1). The program dovetailed space efforts and programs of Japan, Europe and Canada. The program was shared among the nations and its design changed several times due to different input and ideas from all member states. Funding was collective and the program moved forward. The Soviet Union collapsed after Afghanistan invasion and had difficulty maintaining its Space Station Mir. It was decided by President Clinton to include Russia in the combine effort and the name of the program was therefore, changed to International Space Station. 2. General The International Space Station is the largest space project ever undertaken. The project represents the collective effort of fifteen countries. These include eleven from the European Space program, US, Russia, Japan and Canada. The planned station will have a length of 108 meters and a weight of 450 tons after completion (“International Space Station Facts and Figures” 1). The station orbits the Earth at a height of 240 miles above the Earth’s surface. Because of the size of the space station it can be seen with the naked eye as it orbits the Earth. It is visible as a bright spot moving in the sky in particular at times when the sun light reflects the panels and the observing position is in the dark portion of the Earth. 3. Construction The space station was to be assembled in the orbit. Major parts were made by different countries and launched into space. They orbited in space and were collected together over time to change make the basic structure of the International Space Station. The first piece was launched by Russia in 1998 and was called the Zarya (Harland and Catchpole 203). These pieces are known as modules. The modules were equipped to orbit independently. They had solar panels for power and booster rockets for orbital movement. Before being assembled the modules were given rotation around their axis to ensure that energy from the Sun is distributed evenly across the body of the module. This was due to the fact that extended exposure of any part to the Sun could over heat the area and similarly the part unexposed faced possibility of freezing. Cameras were installed in the modules to assist in docking procedure. The modules were carefully checked for any leakages and were joined together to form the basic structure. The US module Unity was the second to reach the orbit. It was delivered by space shuttle mission as opposed to rocket delivery of Zarya. The modules were connected together with help of robots on shuttle missions. The two modules Zarya and Unity were joined by a third piece known as the Zvezda module. The module added facilities like communication, toilet, kitchen and improved communication facilities. The structure was added with support structures containing solar panels and other support systems called the Truss. 4. Major Components 4.1 Truss Structure The Truss holds together all the components and forms the center piece of the structure. Everything is attached to the Truss structure. The Truss was the fourth part that came in to join the three modules at the initial assembly of the station. The structure carries all the ports required to dock components to the station. It has different docking stations so that the structure is flexible and components can be changed as per design requirement. The structure is also home to critical systems like radiators and solar panels. It is also responsible to dock logistic support components. The Truss structure is the main component in the station that has everything attached and connected. It keeps the station together. 4.2 Modules The Modules are the major parts that are not direct functioning parts of the space station. In simple they are components attached to the Truss structure and are made as per specific demands and purpose of the missions. These are the structures that can be thought of as a residential and work area for the astronauts. Sleeping quarters, kitchen, toilet and laboratories are some of the facilities in the Modules. They are also used as observation posts to monitor any activity on the planet. They are also equipped with computers for communication, navigation and control of different sectors of the station. The Modules are the components with major activity and hold the crew. It is a residential area, laboratory, observation post and the command post for the International Space Station. Over time the participating countries have sent their Modules to be docked with the station. Some of the Modules are planned to be docked with the station in future. 4.3 Solar Panels The Solar Panels are attached to the Truss structure. They are responsible to power the station and keep its critical systems running. Electric power is the most critical requirement of the station as it controls the navigation, computers and even communication. Every system depends on the availability of electric power. The photovoltaic panels are spread over a wide area and are orientated to face the Sun. The station generates power for almost half of the time in orbit. This is due to the fact that the station cannot generate power while on the dark side of the planet. 4.4 Robotic Arms Robotic Arms were used to combine the structure of the station and assisted in docking activities in the initial stages of the station. The arm was mounted on the space shuttle to be used for assembly known as Canadarm1. The system was also mounted on the station and was capable of handling a module size structure. The arm was attached with the Truss structure and is known as Canadarm2 (Exploring Space 491). It is extremely critical in docking operations. Other robotic arms are also mounted near modules by participating countries. European Robotic Arm is also planned to be installed on the station. Before the robotic arms the station was assembled by spacewalks. 5. Life Support Maintenance of life support system on the International Space Station is of prime importance. The two key elements for the survival of the crew are the availability of oxygen and water. There is no resource in space to generate ideal atmospheric conditions in space. The Zvezda Module provided by the Russians is the prime source for maintaining life support system. Some of the key elements required in space are highlighted along with alternatives; 5.1 Oxygen The station generates oxygen by the process of electrolysis. Electric current is passes through water to produce hydrogen and oxygen (Musgrave, Larsen and Sgobba 392). But the process presents danger of fire as the byproducts of the process are extremely flammable. The solution used for the electrolysis process is Alkaline. Potassium hydroxide is added in water to conduct electric charge and separate ions in water. The Russian Zvezda Module has an Elektron system for the generation of oxygen through electrolysis. The alternative to this oxygen generation system are the Oxygen Candles (Musgrave, Larsen and Sgobba 398). The candles are made of solid fuel which when ignited produces oxygen. The ignition on the candles is percussion based system that can be considered similar to percussion system in a standard military grenade. 5.2 Water Water is essential for survival and a critical element of life support system. There is no resource of water available in space and the International Space Station has a water reservoir. This water is used and recycled for use again. Wastages cannot be afforded and the station needs to efficiently recycle the water used. Some of the volume is lost during oxygen generation or absorbed into the atmosphere in the form of humidity. Some leaks in station loose air and therefore the absorbed water along with it (Bond 254). The Russian Zvezda Module has a recycling unit that takes up water from the atmosphere and recycles it. The water is filtered and purified to keep it drinkable. The unit can recycle 24 kilograms of water per day from the atmosphere. 5.3 Hygiene Waste management and hygiene are of prime importance for the crew. The Russian Zvezda Module has a toilet facility. Waste products are collected separately and processed. The urine is recycled to generate water, but this water is not drinkable and is used for power generation (Meusburger 174). Another facility was added in 2008 in US Destiny Laboratory. This updated facility could recycle urine to drinkable standards. Because of water constraints and microgravity showers are taken by soaked materials. 6. Purpose of the International Space Station The station serves as an observation post and a science laboratory in space. Possible research scenarios in space are pondered upon and the scope of its purpose is increasing. Some of the purposes of the station are highlighted; 6.1 Space Laboratory The station orbits the Earth in lower orbital space. This means that the International Space Station does experience very minute effects of gravity. It is termed as microgravity and is one-millionth of the gravitational force on earth (DiChristina 77). The station provides zero gravity environments for experiments which is extremely difficult to achieve on the Earth. The station remains in communication with the ground crew and therefore, experiments can be changed and monitored as per desired requirements. The station provides a constant zero gravity conditions to scientists on the Earth and new experiments and proposals can be executed in space laboratory. Research in medical treatments presents an interesting opportunity. Because of zero gravity conditions proteins and crystals show abnormal growth patterns. These are easy to monitor and study and provide an interesting insight into medicine. Furthermore, the station provides an insight into effects of prolonged zero gravity conditions on humans. The station also serves as a permanent observation post in space and is useful to observe space bodies. 6.2 Education and Tourism It is planned and recommended that the International Space Station be used as an education inspiration for children. Classes can be planned through video link and the aim of this education is to develop curiosity and interest among children about space (Haskell and Rycroft 66). Furthermore, the station hosted the first space tourist in 2001 with a traveling ticket equating to almost $20 million (Wall 1). 6.3 Mission to Mars Manned mission to Mars is planned and being worked on for some time. The mission has no estimated time and is in planning stage. The International Space Station is planned and plays an important part in training and experimenting possible solutions for the mission. The station provides key insight into demands and conditions of living in space. How the resources are recycled and how much supply of elements is required for the planned mission. The assembly of the station provides examples of possibly assembly of a new station for the Mars mission. In one scenario the station is also planned as a space depot for carrying supplies for the mission when it completes its life (Hartman and Meshbesher 28). 7. Threats With increase in number of satellites the orbits are becoming crowded with space traffic. Furthermore, there is space debris in orbits that are byproducts of launch stages. The debris fly at an extremely high speed and a small piece can even cause huge impact. There is always a danger and possibility of the station being hit by space debris. The damage could be critical to the station. There have been incidents when the crew is alerted of incoming debris and evacuation measures are prepared. One such incident happened in March 2012, when debris passed in close proximity of the station (Carreau 1). In this particular case the debris was a result of collision between two satellites from the US and Russia in 2009. The space station is capable of maneuvering in the orbit with help of booster rockets but the debris is hard to detect and their orbits are difficult to trace. They can be unpredictable and there is no way to change their orbital path. 8. Maintenance The station needs maintenance and some of the parts are to be replaced regularly. The supplies and logistics are transferred to the station through shuttle missions. The shuttle missions are planned to end by NASA and the unmanned delivery system will be responsible for the logistics (Dunn 1). The waste material is taken back on its trip back. Furthermore, there are some components that need replacement and maintenance. For example solar panels have a life of around six years and they need replacement. Similarly other critical life support systems require periodic maintenance. This makes the International Space Station expensive to maintain and that is why many have argues against the sustainment of the program. 9. Future and Funding Since the International Space Station is a collective effort, it is difficult to coordinate and fund its operation ability. The station is still under construction and is planned to be completed by 2013. Funding for the station has been done till 2015 (Achenbach 1). The economic situation has raised questions as to the benefits of the station. Many argue that the station does not contribute to science as compared to the price countries pay to maintain the facility. It is difficult to maintain logistics and if funding is not ensured after 2015; there have been reports and statements to vacate the station in the year 2016. The station is estimated to cost the contributing countries a total of $100 billion (Achenbach 1). The space program is reviewed by many countries in lieu of the economic situation and if the program is not funded, the International Space Station will be abandoned and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere in the year 2016. Though, the station is in the process of completion, some of the modules from different countries are planned to dock with the station. 10. Crew The station can hold six crew members at a time (Chow 1). The crew spends about four to six months at a stretch and is relieved by the next expedition. The crew is rotated to protect their health. They are exposed to solar radiation and the station does not provide complete protection. Furthermore, the crew experiences stress and it takes time for them to get used to zero gravity environments. The space is very confined and isolated which has profound effects on the crew. 11. Conclusion The International Space Station is the biggest space project to be undertaken in the history of mankind. It represents efforts by complete humanity to construct this huge object in space. It’s a marvel to construct such a structure in space. The project has taken more than a decade and brings all of the participating countries under one umbrella to execute this collective mission. It is a symbol of unity and an inspiration for the next generation to generate curiosity into space programs. The project represents our space effort and must complete its intended lifespan. The program is a stepping stone for future explorations and it is a testament of our combined capabilities to build this extraordinary structure in space. It is a symbol of human determination to achieve and strive for highest possible standards. It represents innovation and a monument to show human capability to achieve the near impossible. Works Cited Catchpole, John. The International Space Station: Building for the Future. Chichester: Praxis Publishing, 2008. Print. “International Space Station Facts and Figures.” Canadian Space Agency. n.p. 17 Jan. 2005. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Harland, David and John Catchpole. Creating the International Space Station. Cornwall: MPG Books, 2002. Print. Exploring Space: The High Frontier. Ontario: Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2010. Print. Musgrave, Gary, Axel Larsen and Tommaso Sgobba. Safety Design for Space Systems. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009. Print. Bond, Peter. The Continuing Story of the International Space Station. Cornwall: MPG Books, 2002. Print. Meusburger, Sandra. Architecture for Astronauts: An Activity-Based Approach. Morlenbach: Springer-Verlag, 2011. Print. DiChristina, Mariette. “Weird Science: Research on the Space Station is really out There.” Popular Science May. 1998: 77. Print. Haskell, G and Michael Rycroft. International Space Station: The Next Space Marketplace. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2000. Print. Wall, Mike. “First Space Tourist: How a US Millionaire Bought a Ticket to Orbit.” space. Tech Media Network. 27 Apr. 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Hartman, Eve and Wendy Meshbesher. Mission to Mars. London: Raintree, 2011. Print. Carreau, Mark. “Space Station Astronauts Take Shelter as Debris Threat Passes.” aviationweek. McGraw-Hill. 24 Mar. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Dunn, Marcia. “International Space Station Maintenance: Even Astronauts Have Trash Duty.” huffingtonpost. The Huffington Post. 13 Jul. 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Achenbach, Joel. “As Space Station Nears Completion, it Faces End of Mission.” washingtonpost. The Washington Post. 13 Jul. 2009. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Chow, Denise. “New Crew Arrives at Space Station on Russian Spaceship.” space. Tech Media Network. 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Presentation PICTURE SHOWING FIRST THREE MODULES JOINED TOGETHER THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS: TRUSS, MODULE AND SOLAR PANELS ELEKTRON SYSTEM FOR OXYGEN REGENERATION IN ZVEZDA STUDENTS ATTENDING VIDEO CALL FROM THE STATION Read More