Operations Training in the Simulator for the Japanese Experiment Module, "Kibo", January 2006

On January 26, 2006, we conducted operations training for the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), also known as "Kibo", using the Kibo simulator.

Simulation summary

Kibo Mission-Control Room at the Space Station Operations Facility, JAXA TKSC

We used the Kibo Operations Control System at the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) to simulate Kibo operations for training.

We used the Kibo simulator in place of the actual Kibo. During this simulation, an operation to replace one of the two JEM Control Processors (JCPs) was planned, assuming that one of the computers had failed.

For actual Kibo operations, the Kibo Mission-Control Room at TKSC and the Space Station Control Center (SSCC) at Johnson Space Center (JSC) will be linked together. For this simulation, we linked the Kibo Mission-Control Room with another room at TKSC. In that room, participants played the roles of the NASA Flight Controllers and astronauts, while training personnel operated the Kibo simulator and controlled the entire simulation.

While replacing the JCP, we simulated Kibo anomalies. The flight controllers in the Kibo Mission-Control Room reviewed possible measures to resolve the anomalies and reschedule operations. From another room, the Kibo engineering team reviewed the measures taken in solving technical problems that required resolution by experts.

Kibo Mission-Control Room during the simulation

Kibo Engineering Team during the simulation

Participants acting as JSC Flight Controllers

Participants acting as astronauts and simulation controllers

Future Schedule

The Flight Controllers' preparation for Kibo operations is progressing satisfactorily. In the future, there will be more simulated operations linking the JAXA and NASA control centers together.