Extended Duration Orbiter

Last updated
The insignia for Extended Duration Orbiter missions. EDO insignia.png
The insignia for Extended Duration Orbiter missions.

The Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) program was a project by NASA to prepare for long-term (months) microgravity research aboard Space Station Freedom, which later evolved into the International Space Station. Scientists and NASA needed practical experience in managing progressively longer times for their experiments. The original Space Shuttle configuration usually provided a week to ten days of spaceflight. Several research projects and hardware components were part of the project, of which the EDO-pallet was one of the most visible, contracted by Rockwell International. [1]

Contents

The first orbiter outfitted with the EDO hardware configuration was Endeavour , during its construction, and its last EDO flight was STS-67, in 1995. [1] [2] Endeavour's EDO modifications were removed in 1996 as part of routine maintenance, to reduce the orbiter's weight prior to STS-89. [1] Columbia was outfitted for EDO flight during its maintenance period from August 10, 1991, through February 9, 1992, prior to STS-50, which was the first EDO flight. [2] [3] From 1992, through 1994, Atlantis went through a maintenance period, during which Atlantis was modified to have the provisions needed for EDO capability, but NASA chose not to proceed with the final modifications, and Atlantis never had EDO capability. [1] The EDO-pallet used in these orbiter configurations was destroyed in the 2003 Columbia disaster.

EDO Pallet

The EDO pallet mounted in the back of Columbia's payload bay EDO pallet.jpg
The EDO pallet mounted in the back of Columbia's payload bay

The Extended Duration Orbiter Cryogenic kit (EDO-pallet or CRYO) was a 15-foot-diameter (4.6 m) equipment assembly which attached vertically to the payload bay rear bulkhead of an orbiter, and allowed the orbiter to support a flight of up to 16 days duration. [1] The equipment included cryogenic tanks, associated control panels, and avionics equipment. Although Atlantis was partially upgraded to accommodate the EDO, only Columbia and Endeavour actually flew with the pallet. The pallet made its debut on STS-50, and was lost on STS-107 in 2003. [4]

Initially, NASA considered adding a second EDO pallet to Endeavour, placed in front of the first, for a total of thirteen tank sets, that would have allowed an orbiter to remain in space for 28 days, but managers decided against it when the International Space Station assembly began, and instead removed the EDO capability from the orbiter, to reduce its weight and allow it to carry more cargo to the ISS. [1] [5]

No replacement for the pallet was planned, since the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System provided much of the same abilities, and the 2011 retirement of the shuttle fleet made it redundant.

Specifications

The EDO tanks stored 368 pounds (167 kg) of liquid hydrogen at −418 degrees Fahrenheit (−250.0 °C), and 3,124 pounds (1,417 kg) of liquid oxygen at −285 degrees Fahrenheit (−176.1 °C). Total empty weight of the system was 3,571 pounds (1,620 kg). When filled with cryogens, the system weight was approximately 7,000 pounds (3.2 t). [1] [6]

Use

The EDO pallet was designed to augment the orbiter's endurance for prolonged missions by supplying additional hydrogen and oxygen for its fuel cells. These fuel cells, in turn, converted hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy essential for the orbiter's operations. [7] For instance, during STS-80, 5,856 kWh was produced from 3,989 lb of oxygen and 502 lb of hydrogen. [8] : 24  For STS-50, 6,204.7 kWh was generated from 4,367 lb of oxygen and 550 lb of hydrogen. [9] : 12  In comparison, STS-77, a mission without the EDO pallet, yielded 3,924 kWh from 2,745 lb of oxygen and 346 lb of hydrogen. [10] : 20 

Another byproduct of the fuel cell operation was potable water. STS-77 produced 3,091 lb, [10] : 20  while missions utilizing the EDO pallet, such as STS-50 and STS-80, yielded 4,914.6 lb [9] : 12  and 4,492 lb, [8] : 24  respectively.

Missions incorporating the EDO pallet provided extended opportunities for scientific research. They enabled detailed studies in areas like microgravity, life sciences, terrestrial observations, and astronomical observations. They also facilitated an understanding of human adaptability in reduced gravity conditions. [7]

The following missions used the EDO pallet:

EDO FlightShuttleMissionLaunch DateDurationPrimary Payload(s)
1Columbia STS-50 June 25, 199213 days, 19 hours, 30 minutes, 4 secondsUnited States Microgravity Laboratory-1 [9] : 1 
2Columbia STS-58 October 18, 199314 days, 0 hours, 12 minutes, 32 secondsSpacelab Life Sciences-2
3Columbia STS-62 March 4, 199413 days, 23 hours, 16 minutes, 41 secondsUnited States Microgravity Payload-2
4Columbia STS-65 July 8, 199414 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes, 1 secondInternational Microgravity Laboratory-2
5Endeavour STS-67 March 2, 199516 days, 15 hours, 8 minutes, 48 secondsASTRO-2
6Columbia STS-73 October 20, 199515 days, 21 hours, 53 minutes, 16 secondsUnited States Microgravity Laboratory-2
7Columbia STS-75 February 22, 199615 days, 17 hours, 40 minutes, 22 secondsTethered Satellite System-1R (reflight of Tethered Satellite System-1 on STS-46)
United States Microgravity Payload-3
8Columbia STS-78 June 20, 199616 days, 21 hours, 48 minutes, 30 secondsLife and Microgravity Spacelab
9Columbia STS-80 November 19, 199617 days, 15 hours, 53 minutes, 18 seconds Wake Shield Facility
ORFEUS-SPAS II [8] : 1 
10Columbia STS-83 April 4, 19973 days, 23 hours, 13 minutes, 38 secondsMicrogravity Science Laboratory-1
(Mission ended early due to a problem with one of Columbia's fuel cells. [11] )
11Columbia STS-94 July 1, 199715 days, 16 hours, 45 minutes, 29 secondsMicrogravity Science Laboratory-1 (reflight of STS-83)
12Columbia STS-87 November 19, 199715 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes, 1 secondUnited States Microgravity Payload-4
SPARTAN-201
13Columbia STS-90 April 17, 199815 days, 21 hours, 50 minutes, 58 secondsNeurolab
14Columbia STS-107 January 16, 200315 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes, 32 secondsSPACEHAB Research Double Module
FREESTAR, Lost during reentry, Space Shuttle Columbia disaster

EDO medical project

Prior to the EDO project, no shuttle had flown a mission longer than 10 days. Since space travelers may faint when they stand up (orthostatic intolerance) after returning to normal gravity even after short flights, and muscle strength may be reduced, the EDOMP project focused on ensuring that the crew could land the orbiter, and exit from it without help after a 16-day flight. Astronauts on 40 shuttle flights (STS-32 through STS-72) participated in 36 EDOMP investigations. The results of these investigations were used to make rules and recommendations for 16-day flights. Several types of exercise devices (i.e. a treadmill, a cycle ergometer, and a rower) were among the devices and procedures developed to prevent the de-conditioning of the body that occurs during space flight. The crew transport vehicles, in which astronauts were transported after landing, were built to enhance medical capabilities at the landing site, as well as crew comfort and safety. A database of 125 formal publications, and 299 abstracts, technical papers, and presentations, also resulted from the EDOMP. [12] The project saw its successor in the ISS Medical Project. [13]

Other EDO projects and studies

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Shuttle</span> Partially reusable launch system and space plane

The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS), taken from a 1969 plan for a system of reusable spacecraft where it was the only item funded for development.

Space Shuttle <i>Columbia</i> Orbiter in NASAs Space Shuttle program; operational from 1981 until the 2003 disaster

Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA. Named after the first American ship to circumnavigate the upper North American Pacific coast and the female personification of the United States, Columbia was the first of five Space Shuttle orbiters to fly in space, debuting the Space Shuttle launch vehicle on its maiden flight in April 1981. As only the second full-scale orbiter to be manufactured after the Approach and Landing Test vehicle Enterprise, Columbia retained unique features indicative of its experimental design compared to later orbiters, such as test instrumentation and distinctive black chines. In addition to a heavier fuselage and the retention of an internal airlock throughout its lifetime, these made Columbia the heaviest of the five spacefaring orbiters; around 1,000 kilograms heavier than Challenger and 3,600 kilograms heavier than Endeavour. Columbia also carried ejection seats based on those from the SR-71 during its first six flights until 1983, and from 1986 onwards carried an imaging pod on its vertical stabilizer.

Space Shuttle <i>Atlantis</i> Retired NASA orbiter shuttle (1985–2011)

Space Shuttle Atlantis is a retired Space Shuttle orbiter vehicle which belongs to NASA, the spaceflight and space exploration agency of the United States. Atlantis was manufactured by the Rockwell International company in Southern California and was delivered to the Kennedy Space Center in Eastern Florida in April 1985. Atlantis is also the fourth operational and the second-to-last Space Shuttle built. Its maiden flight was STS-51-J made from October 3 to 7, 1985.

Space Shuttle <i>Endeavour</i> Space Shuttle orbiter

Space Shuttle Endeavour is a retired orbiter from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the fifth and final operational Shuttle built. It embarked on its first mission, STS-49, in May 1992 and its 25th and final mission, STS-134, in May 2011. STS-134 was expected to be the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, but with the authorization of STS-135 by the United States Congress, Atlantis became the last shuttle to fly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spacelab</span> Temporary, reusable laboratory aboard the Space Shuttle

Spacelab was a reusable laboratory developed by European Space Agency (ESA) and used on certain spaceflights flown by the Space Shuttle. The laboratory comprised multiple components, including a pressurized module, an unpressurized carrier, and other related hardware housed in the Shuttle's cargo bay. The components were arranged in various configurations to meet the needs of each spaceflight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-44</span> 1991 American crewed spaceflight to deploy DSP-16

STS-44 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission using Atlantis that launched on November 24, 1991. It was a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) space mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-45</span> 1992 American crewed spaceflight

STS-45 was a 1992 NASA Space Shuttle mission using the Space ShuttleAtlantis. Its almost nine-day scientific mission was with a non-deployable payload of instruments. It was the 46th Space Shuttle mission and the 11th for Atlantis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl E. Walz</span> American astronaut

Carl Erwin Walz is a retired NASA astronaut currently working for Orbital Sciences Corporation's Advanced Programs Group as vice president for Human Space Flight Operations. Walz was formerly assigned to the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was the Acting Director for the Advanced Capabilities Division in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, and was responsible for a broad range of activities to include Human Research, Technology Development, Nuclear Power and Propulsion and the Lunar Robotic Exploration Programs to support the Vision for Space Exploration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Shuttle external tank</span> Component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle

The Space Shuttle external tank (ET) was the component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle that contained the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. During lift-off and ascent it supplied the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the three RS-25 main engines in the orbiter. The ET was jettisoned just over 10 seconds after main engine cut-off (MECO) and it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. Unlike the Solid Rocket Boosters, external tanks were not re-used. They broke up before impact in the Indian Ocean, away from shipping lanes and were not recovered.

Shuttle–<i>Mir</i> program 1993–1998 collaborative Russia–US space program

The Shuttle–Mir program was a collaborative 11-mission space program between Russia and the United States that involved American Space Shuttles visiting the Russian space station Mir, Russian cosmonauts flying on the Shuttle, and an American astronaut flying aboard a Soyuz spacecraft to engage in long-duration expeditions aboard Mir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-116</span> 2006 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-116 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) flown by Space Shuttle Discovery. Discovery lifted off on December 9, 2006, at 20:47:35 EST. A previous launch attempt on December 7 had been canceled due to cloud cover. It was the first night launch of a Space Shuttle since STS-113 in November 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-117</span> 2007 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-117 was a Space Shuttle mission flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis, launched from pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center on June 8, 2007. Atlantis lifted off from the launch pad at 19:38 EDT. Damage from a hail storm on February 26, 2007, had previously caused the launch to be postponed from an originally-planned launch date of March 15, 2007. The launch of STS-117 marked the 250th orbital human spaceflight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-118</span> 2007 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-118 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) flown by the orbiter Endeavour. STS-118 lifted off on August 8, 2007, from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida and landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility at KSC on August 21, 2007.

Space Shuttle missions designated STS-3xx were rescue missions which would have been mounted to rescue the crew of a Space Shuttle if their vehicle was damaged and deemed unable to make a successful reentry. Such a mission would have been flown if Mission Control determined that the heat shielding tiles and reinforced carbon-carbon panels of a currently flying orbiter were damaged beyond the repair capabilities of the available on-orbit repair methods. These missions were also referred to as Launch on Demand (LOD) and Contingency Shuttle Crew Support. The program was initiated following loss of Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. No mission of this type was launched during the Space Shuttle program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-122</span> 2008 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-122 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS), flown by the Space ShuttleAtlantis. STS-122 marked the 24th shuttle mission to the ISS, and the 121st Space Shuttle flight overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-127</span> 2009 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-127 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). It was the twenty-third flight of Space ShuttleEndeavour. The primary purpose of the STS-127 mission was to deliver and install the final two components of the Japanese Experiment Module: the Exposed Facility, and the Exposed Section of the Experiment Logistics Module (ELM-ES). When Endeavour docked with the ISS on this mission in July 2009, it set a record for the most humans in space at the same time in the same vehicle, the first time thirteen people have been at the station at the same time. Together they represented all ISS program partners and tied the general record of thirteen people in space with the first such occurrence of 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-132</span> 2010 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS

STS-132 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission, during which Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on May 16, 2010. STS-132 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on May 14, 2010. The primary payload was the Russian Rassvet Mini-Research Module, along with an Integrated Cargo Carrier-Vertical Light Deployable (ICC-VLD). Atlantis landed at the Kennedy Space Center on May 26, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-400</span>

STS-400 was the Space Shuttle contingency support flight that would have been launched using Space ShuttleEndeavour if a major problem occurred on Space ShuttleAtlantis during STS-125, the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-134</span> 2011 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS and final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour

STS-134 was the penultimate mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the 25th and last spaceflight of Space ShuttleEndeavour. This flight delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and an ExPRESS Logistics Carrier to the International Space Station. Mark Kelly served as the mission commander. STS-134 was expected to be the final Space Shuttle mission if STS-135 did not receive funding from Congress. However, in February 2011, NASA stated that STS-135 would fly "regardless" of the funding situation. STS-135, flown by Atlantis, took advantage of the processing for STS-335, the Launch on Need mission that would have been necessary if the STS-134 crew became stranded in orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STS-135</span> 2011 American crewed spaceflight to the ISS and final flight of the Space Shuttle program

STS-135 was the 135th and final mission of the American Space Shuttle program. It used the orbiter Atlantis and hardware originally processed for the STS-335 contingency mission, which was not flown. STS-135 launched on July 8, 2011, and landed on July 21, 2011, following a one-day mission extension. The four-person crew was the smallest of any shuttle mission since STS-6 in April 1983. The mission's primary cargo was the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Raffaello and a Lightweight Multi-Purpose Carrier (LMC), which were delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). The flight of Raffaello marked the only time that Atlantis carried an MPLM.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jenkins, Dennis R. (2001). Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System . Cape Canaveral, Fla. pp. Pages 393, 437, 438. ISBN   0-9633974-5-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. 1 2 NASA PAO (2007). "List of Extended Duration Missions". NASA. Archived from the original on June 23, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  3. ↑ NASA (1992). "STS-50". National Aeronautics and Space Administration . Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  4. ↑ NASA. "Overview of STS–107 Mission and Key Research - FS-2002-06-107-MSFC" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  5. ↑ NASA (1992-03-03). "Artist concept cutaway view of OV-105 docked with Space Station Freedom (SSF)". NASA. Archived from the original on 2009-09-17. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  6. ↑ NASA (2007). "STS-87". NASA. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  7. 1 2 Evans, Ben (1 April 2015). "Stretching the Shuttle: 25 Years Since the EDO Decision". AmericaSpace. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 STS-80 Space Shuttle Mission Report (PDF) (Technical report). NASA. February 1997. NSTS-37411/TM-112252. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 STS-50 Space Shuttle Mission Report (PDF) (Technical report). NASA. August 1992. NSTS-08277/CR-193057. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  10. 1 2 STS-77 Space Shuttle Mission Report (PDF) (Technical report). NASA. June 1996. NSTS-37408/TM-112641. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  11. ↑ NASA (2001). "STS-83". NASA. Retrieved December 8, 2007.
  12. ↑ Johnson Space Center, NASA. "Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project (EDOMP)". NASA. Archived from the original on 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  13. ↑ NASA (July 17, 2007). "ISS Medical Project". NASA. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  14. ↑ NASA. "Manual Apparel Cleaning System for Extended- Duration-Orbiter Shuttle Missions". NASA. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  15. ↑ Rejai, B.; Zeilingold, D.; Rehagen, S. (1992). "28-day extended-duration orbiter automated fault detection, isolation, and recovery concept definition and proof-of-concept development". AIAA Materials Specialist Conference - Coating Technology for Aerospace Systems. Harvard University. Bibcode:1992aiaa.meetZ....R.
  16. 1 2 James E. Atwater (1996). "Life Support Systems: Mercury to Shuttle". Oregon State University. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  17. ↑ NASA POA (June 22, 2001). "International Space Station Waste Collector Subsystem Refurbishment DTO 692" . Retrieved 2007-11-17.
  18. ↑ NASA. "Bioastronautics Contract: Example Task Orders" (.doc). NASA. Retrieved November 16, 2007.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.