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| MPAC&SEED | |
The maximum duration of the MPAC & SEED experiment will be three years, the longest of its kind in Japan. Three sets of MPAC & SEED are attached on the outside of Zvezda on orbit. One unit is retrieved every year. Therefore, exposure duration of individual units is one, two and three years. We should be able to clarify degradation mechanisms of exposed materials and changes in the number of captured micro-particle. The results obtained will contribute greatly to future development of spacecraft in Japan.
MPAC
MPAC capture micro-particles (space debris* and micro-meteoroids*) distributed on the ISS orbit. After the retrieval of MPAC, the size, composition, impact energy, etc. of captured particles will be investigated.
MPAC will contribute greatly to understanding the micro-particles environment and the evolution of solar system and to replacing the existing space environment model with a newer model.
* space debris : Bits of spacecraft, combustion products of solid rockets, etc.
* micro-meteoroids : Solid particles that do not originate in man-made products, but are natural products originating from comets or planets.
SEED
Improving a variety of space-use materials is important for long-lived, high-reliability spacecraft. The objective of SEED is to expand our knowledge of the space environment effects on parts and materials usable in space. SEED exposes materials such as thermal control film and solid lubricant, etc. for space use to a real space environment, such as radiation and atomic oxygen, etc..
Overview
| Dimension | 900(H)x570(W)x156(D)mm |
| Launch mass | 28.5kg |
| Return mass | 9kg |
| Structural material: | aluminum |
MPAC & SEED consist of the Micro-Particles Capture(MPAC) and Space Environment Exposure Device(SEED). The MPAC & SEED system will be launched by Progress in July 2001. Three MPAC & SEED systems will be attached on the outside of Zvezda on orbit. Individual units will be exposed for one two, and three years. After the experiment, MPAC & SEED Sample Assembly (capturing media and exposed materials) will be returned to Earth by Soyuz. After being retrieved, samples are analyzed and evaluated.
Future plan of Space Environment Measurement ExperimentJAXA is developing the Space Environment Data Acquisition equipment - Attached Payload (SEDA-AP) that will be used for one of the experiments conducted on the Exposed Facility of JEM (also known as “Kibo”), which has a launch target of 2007.
SEDA-AP carries a Micro-Particles Capture, the Space Environment Exposure Device, and other space environment sensors. It measures the external space environment and estimates its influence on materials.
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