|
| Kibo Extravehicular Activity Weightless Simulation Test No. 4 |
|
From Aug. through Oct. 1998, a microgravity simulation test, which simulates
extravehicular activity (EVA) in space, was conducted in Tsukuba Space Center
using the Weightless Environment Test Building. This test evaluated whether
the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo), which is scheduled to be launched
in 2004 and mated to the International Space Station (ISS), was being designed
to allow easy repair or maintenance tasks. The test and interview with participating
astronauts are outlined here.
 | Outline
of the test | EVA and robotic arms are effective ways to assemble Kibo and perform maintenance
or contingency activities .
This test investigates whether Kibo has been designed
to accommodate such maintenance activities based on EVA.
Using a mockup of
Kibo in a large water pool, NASDA and NASA astronauts investigate whether extravehicular
activities can be conducted without difficulty and whether they can reach devices
to be repaired or exchanged.
During Weightless Simulation Test No. 4 a total
of 17 test items which had not been tested previously were tested, including releasing
fixing bolts for windows of the pressurized module and attaching a camera to the
outside of Kibo.
| This is
test No. 4. | NASDA has conducted two EVA tests in the U.S.A.
and one in Tsukuba Space Center. This is the fourth test. The history of those
tests is shown in the table below.
| - | Term | Location |
| No. 1 | Dec.
1991 | Marshall Space Flight
Center | | No. 2 | Mar.
1993 | Marshall Space Flight
Center | | No.
3 | Feb. 1997 | Tsukuba
Space Center | |
| Outline
of Weightless Simulation Test No. 4 | Before the test, astronaut
Mohri conducted an engineering run to check the scheduled test procedure. Following
this engineering run, tests were conducted for three consecutive weeks starting
from Sep.25 as shown below.
The same procedures were repeated every week,
and each astronaut evaluated the results. Identical tests were performed by six
astronauts in order to ensure that Kibo has been designed that maintenance is possible
and easy by EVA for all astronauts.
| - | Test
term | Participating
astronauts | | Engineering
Run | Aug.
24 thru 28, 1998 | Mamoru
Mohri | | First
week | Sep.
21 thru 25, 1998 | Sohichi
Noguchi, Mark Lee | | Second
week | Sep.
28 thru Oct. 2 | Kohichi
Wakata, Reloy Chao | | Third
week | Oct.
5 thru 9 | Takao Doi, David
Wolf | |
| Weightless
Environment Test Facility |
| In a 16m-diameter, 10.5m-deep water pool in the Weightless
Environment Test Building, by balancing gravity and buoyancy a quasi-microgravity
environment being simulated.
Astronauts conducting simulations in the
water wear a space suit similar to the one used in actual space. Astronauts conduct
EVA's using the mockup located in the water pool with air or water supplied from
the ground facility.
|
 | This
facility will be used to prepare or evaluate EVA procedures or to conduct basic
training for Japanese astronauts. |
Last Updated : Apr. 1, 1999
|
