A Kibo Pressurized Module (PM) module leak test was conducted at Tsukuba
Space Center (TKSC) from August 19 to 24, 2002.
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What is Kibo PM module leak test? |
The Kibo PM module leak test checks the PM air tightness in the near vacuum
of space. The module leak test is a specific test performed only for manned
space modules. The Kibo PM module leak test is thus the first module leak
test performed in Japan because Kibo is the first manned space module Japan
has made.
One aim of this test is to provide NASA data on the PM module leak efficiency.
We need this data to estimate the necessary supply of air (oxygen and
nitrogen), one of the most precious resources, from the Space Shuttle
to the International Space Station (ISS).
This test is conducted for the PM, a major component of Kibo, in the
13m Space chamber inside the Spacecraft
Integration and Test Facilities (SITE) at TKSC. This test data is
the leakage from PM through valves, the Hatch, and the Airlock.
Test procedures are shown below.
- Transfer PM inside the 13m Space chamber.
- Close the chamber and evacuate the air (about 15 hours).
- Fill the PM with helium to measure the total leakage (about three
days).
- Complete measurement and restore the chamber to atmospheric pressure
to complete the test.
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PM transfer |
Before the module leak test, PM was transferred from the ISS Test Building
to SITE on August 7. This transfer is shown in the following photographs.
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Press Conference |
Before the module leak test, the PM inside the Space Chamber was viewed
by the press on August 19.
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Advance Conference
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PM transferred inside Space Chamber
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Press Conference
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Future Plans |
After the module leak test is completed, the PM will be shipped to NASA
Kennedy Space Center, FL, connected to ISS modules, and tested.
Last Updated : October 2, 2002
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