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| Maintainability test of Kibo's ECLSS - TCS system rack |
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| ECLSS-TCS
rack
(left : front view, right : rear view) |
A maintainability test of the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo's Environmental
Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) and Thermal Control System (TCS) rack
was conducted in the Kobe Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (MHI) from July
9 to July 12,1999. Here is the report.
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Test Objectives | The ECLSS-TCS
rack, which will be installed in the Pressurized module of Kibo, holds two subsystems,
an air conditioning ventilator and a thermal controller that will remove the heat
generated by the equipment installed in Kibo.
Three test personnel conducted
the test from the viewpoints of whether astronauts can operate the equipment and
perform maintenance on the ECLSS-TCS rack without any problems on orbit.
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Test Method | Three test personnel,
including a NASA astronaut, conducted the test using the proto-flight model of
the ECLSS-TCS rack, that will actually be installed in Kibo. Personnel of different
heights were selected to ensure that an astronaut of any height could handle the
tasks.
The following four items were tested.
| | (1) | Physical
Access: To confirm whether there is enough space for grasping objects such as
connectors. | | | (2) | Visual
Access: To confirm whether objects to be grasped or labels attached can be seen
with ease. | | | (3) | Tool
Clearance: To confirm whether there is enough space for handling tools such as
ratchetwrenches or torquewrenches. | | | (4) | Sharp
Edge Evaluation: To confirm that there are no sharp edges, that could hurt astronauts. |
| - |  | Physical
Access | | |
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| | Physical
access check | The test personnel checked that the cover
of the rack, and the electric and fluid connectors can be detached or attached
without problems. More than 50 points were checked. | | | Visual
Access | | |  |
| Sample of labels There are many other types
of labels. | It was confirmed that all connector faces are
visible. If the connectors were not visible, they would have to be connected by
hand only, without visible observations of task, which could damage the pins and
connectors. This test was conducted to eliminate such possibilities. The test
also confirmed that labels on the ECLSS-TCS rack and on ORUs are visible. |
| | Tool
Clearance | | | The
test confirmed that bolts fastening ORUs to the rack can be detached or attached
without problems. It also confirmed that there are enough clearance and work space
to attach sockets of wrenches on top of each bolt and that the test wrenches can
be operated to attach and detach the bolts. Furthermore, confirmed that hand-holds
used to manipulate ORUs can be attached to and detached from the ORUs. |
| | |
| | | | The
confirmation of the operation with a tool |
Installation to the Hand hold | |
| | Sharp
Edge Evaluation | | | The test personnel confirmed
that there were no sharp edges by touching rack covers and inside and outside
rack surfaces with gloved hands. |
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Test Results | The test personnel
concluded that astronauts of all sizes can handle the rack and conduct maintenance
activities without any problems. The NASA astronaut also made valuable comments,
recommending that other kinds of tools be used.
| Test
to follow | This test was conducted using Rack 1 of the two
ECLSS-TCS racks. A similar test will be conducted for Rack 2 in late September
1999. That test will concentrate on items pointed out by this test and on specifications
which differ from those of Rack 1.
Last Update:Sep. 2, 1999
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