 Launch Site
Processing Overview
Kibo's Pressurized Module (PM) arrived at Port Canaveral adjacent
to NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, at 6:00 a.m. EDT, May
30, 2003. It had departed from Yokohama Harbor, Japan, on May 2.
After arrival, the PM was transported to the Space Station Processing
Facility (SSPF) in KSC. The following activities have been completed
so far.
- Acceptance, Unpacking, and Cleanup of Ground Support Equipment
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| GSE acceptance and unpacking |
Various GSE |
The ground support equipment (GSE), including electrical power
supply, fluid system, and test equipment, were accepted, unpacked,
and cleaned. This equipment had been shipped separately from
the PM and the Remote Manipulator System console.
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- Transport and Installation of GSE
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The GSE was transported and installed in the SSPF, and completed
post-installation testing.
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- PM Unpacking and Installation
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| PM's container being unloaded from the cargo
ship on June 4 |
PM being removed from its transportation
container on June 10 |
Attaching the rotating platform to the PM |
The PM was removed from the transportation container and placed
in position.
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- Acceptance of the Remote Manipulator System console
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| RMS console acceptance on June 2 |
The RMS console received an external inspection and was confirmed
to have no anomaly.
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- Inspection of PM main body
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| PM's main body inspection |
Fluid lines, joints, and connectors inside the PM were visually
inspected, and verified to have no water leaks or other anomalies.
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- On-Orbit Constraints Test (OOCT)
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| OOCT from June 23 through 27 |
Fit checks were conducted for the PM bulkhead connectors and
flight hardware including air ducts, electric lines, communication
lines, and coolant tubes installed between the PM and Node
2. The PM and Node 2 will be connected on orbit by astronauts.
The fit checks confirmed there were no problems in the connections.
The PM and Node 2 are planned to be connected four days after
the launch of the PM. Since they will be connected by astronauts
in a limited time, it is very important to check the workability
and the procedure.
Steven Lindsey, a NASA astronaut, connected the systems in
the test. Lindsey is a veteran of three spaceflights.
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- Replacement of the Cooling Water and Removal of Air from
coolant
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The cooling water was replaced since it degrades with time.
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- Rack Installation and Removal
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| ECLSS/TCS rack |
RMS console |
The workstation rack, which had been attached to the PM for
shipping, was removed, and an Environmental Control and Life
Support System (ECLSS) and Thermal Control System (TCS) #2
rack, which had been transported individually, were attached
after replacement of the cooling water. Cooling water in the
RMS console was also replaced.
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- Preparations for Multi-Element Integration Test-III
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Testing procedures were confirmed, simulation was conducted,
test cables were laid, and cameras were installed to get ready
for the Multi-Element Integration Test-III (MEIT-III).
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Launch Site Processing
Schedule
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