NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
International Space Station (ISS) => ISS Section => Topic started by: Danderman on 03/05/2015 02:54 am
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Reports are that Nanoracks is investigating the development of a new airlock to allow for greater throughput for payloads destined for deployment.
This thread is about this new system, which has the nickname of "Bishop".
This would be the first commercial airlock ever deployed.
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Would be interested in seeing any design details or graphics, and also where it would be deployed (would have to be Node 3 Port or Node 3 Aft).
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Would be interested in seeing any design details or graphics, and also where it would be deployed (would have to be Node 3 Port or Node 3 Aft).
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Would be interested in seeing any design details or graphics, and also where it would be deployed (would have to be Node 3 Port or Node 3 Aft).
it would be a bit more complex than the previous methods due to berthing, unberthing and robotics ops of an object that is either roughly equivalent to the measurements of the full size Cygnus standard PCM in the enhanced proposal or half of one in the currently standard proposal.
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I'd say that would be best placed on Node 3 Aft, with the SSRMS based on the FGB PDGF for berthing ops, although that would mean that all usable CBM ports would be permanently occupied/reserved for VVs.
ISS really could do with a new node. I wonder whether there will ever be enough commercial interest for a privately-owned node/lab module, with it's own integrated external facility/cubesat deployer, etc?
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Isn't the current plan to berth BEAM to the aft port? Perhaps the zenith port would be an acceptable alternative for this
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Isn't the current plan to berth BEAM to the aft port? Perhaps the zenith port would be an acceptable alternative for this
Node 3 Zenith is not a usable port due to clearance issues with SGANT-1 on the Z1 Truss. Thus, Node 3 Zenith is blocked off by a PVGF basepoint for Dextre.
BEAM will indeed be installed on Node 3 Aft, however it is only planned to be there for a couple of years.
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Isn't the current plan to berth BEAM to the aft port? Perhaps the zenith port would be an acceptable alternative for this
Node 3 Zenith is not a usable port due to clearance issues with SGANT-1 on the Z1 Truss. Thus, Node 3 Zenith is blocked off by a PVGF basepoint for Dextre.
BEAM will indeed be installed on Node 3 Aft, however it is only planned to be there for a couple of years.
Since cubesats are significantly smaller than VV I suspect they could be fired so as to miss the PVGF basepoint.
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Would be interested in seeing any design details or graphics, and also where it would be deployed (would have to be Node 3 Port or Node 3 Aft).
If it the type of PCBM ring collar shown wasn't present it could go on the Node 3 end cone CBM after the PMA-3 relocate task.
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How about Node 3 port? It will be available after the relocations.
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Since cubesats are significantly smaller than VV I suspect they could be fired so as to miss the PVGF basepoint.
By "blocked off", I don't mean that the PVGF is causing a clearance issue, I mean that a PVGF has actually been installed over the CBM port, hence the port is permanently unusable. See attached photo.
How about Node 3 port? It will be available after the relocations.
Node 3 Port has clearance issues with the rotating Port TRRJ, hence robotics access may be an issue.
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Though its not 100% accurate, NASA's ISS model can give us an idea of the clearance at the end of Node 3 port with PMA-3 removed. The radiators get very very close and I'm honestly amazed that PMA-3 fits on the end where it is.
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Good article on NanoRacks' proposed ISS experiment airlock, including pictures of the proposed design.
NASA could give NanoRacks the go-ahead for construction as soon as next month, and the airlock could launch via Dragon in 2018, for installation on the Node 3 Port CBM.
http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/01/to-boost-commercial-activity-nasa-may-add-private-airlock-to-iss/
A really great idea, I hope it gets the green light! :)
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Seems to have "Evolved" in the last year.
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IIRC, some of the Node 3 CBM ports aren't really there, they were never fully outfitted.
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IIRC, some of the Node 3 CBM ports aren't really there, they were never fully outfitted.
only Zenith
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only Zenith
Correct, the Node 3 Zenith port is blocked off with a PVGF, which can serve as a stowage location for the SPDM. This was done as the Z1 Truss SGANT-1 antenna presents clearance issues for any module berthed at Node 3 Zenith. However, this may in hindsight have been a bad decision, as small modules (such as the NanoRacks airlock) could possibly have been berthed at Node 3 Zenith without presenting any clearance issues with the Z1.
I don't know whether the Node 3 Zenith CBM port itself would actually be usable if the PVGF were removed, i.e. whether the berthing collar, alignment guides, hooks, bolts etc. are installed.
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I don't know whether the Node 3 Zenith CBM port itself would actually be usable if the PVGF were removed, i.e. whether the berthing collar, alignment guides, hooks, bolts etc. are installed.
In all the images I've gone over, the Zenith CBM appears to have a thermal cover on it and lacks any visible petals, though it does appear to have the articulation mechanisms for them. Combined with whatever the PVGF is hooked up to, it would seem to be at least a little modified fro the standard CBM.
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only Zenith
Correct, the Node 3 Zenith port is blocked off with a PVGF, which can serve as a stowage location for the SPDM. This was done as the Z1 Truss SGANT-1 antenna presents clearance issues for any module berthed at Node 3 Zenith. However, this may in hindsight have been a bad decision, as small modules (such as the NanoRacks airlock) could possibly have been berthed at Node 3 Zenith without presenting any clearance issues with the Z1.
I don't know whether the Node 3 Zenith CBM port itself would actually be usable if the PVGF were removed, i.e. whether the berthing collar, alignment guides, hooks, bolts etc. are installed.
As I seem to recall the Zenith CBM was not fully outfitted on the ground with its ACBM (Active CBM) components but the Cover with the PVGF has a berthing collar is secured to the module via diving the bolts on modules berthing collar into the covers berthing collar. i have still images on my old laptop from the KSC video feeds of it being installed on the Zenith Port. There are no alignment Guide petals that i remember seeing in the images.
PS I wish the Nanoracks LUNA Module was still planned.
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The "Escape corridor" from an airlock is generally downwards and away from the station, so an airlock for CubeSATs on Node 3 Zenith is probably not feasible.
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The "Escape corridor" from an airlock is generally downwards and away from the station, so an airlock for CubeSATs on Node 3 Zenith is probably not feasible.
The ACBMs are only the storage locations for this proposed module and is not the deployment location, which would be below cupola and unity with the arm pointing nadir and payloads could be deployed in almost any degree of downward direction that does not deploy towards the RS.
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In order to turn Node 3 Zenith into a usable CBM port, this is what I think, at minimum, would need to be done (and all this is based on some big assumptions):
Firstly, the actual PVGF cover itself would need to be removed. If it is true that this cover is attached via a PCBM collar, then the ACBM bolts on Node 3 Zenith would need to be driven in order to remove the cover. However, I don't know whether the four CPAs that would be needed to control the driving of the bolts are present, meaning the cover would first have to be cut open, and the four CPAs installed via EVA - which would be very difficult, as they require manual connections to be made which would be very fiddly to perform while wearing EMU gloves.
Once the cover is removed and any PVGF electrical connections were demated, the eight CBM alignment guides would need to be installed, with each one needing eight separate bolts to be driven, making for 64 bolts in total (although perhaps a reduced number of bolts would be acceptable, so this number could possibly be lower). In any case these bolts were not designed to be driven via EVA, and would be difficult to install.
Only then, assuming all the other relevant hardware was present on the Node 3 Zenith CBM (such as the hooks), would it be possible to berth a module to Node 3 Zenith.
All in all, it would likely be more trouble that it's worth, so I doubt we'll ever see it happen. If ISS really needs more ports, a better idea would be to allow industry to design their own module, with it's own internal, external, and airlock/deployer facilities, and possibly even separate power/ECLSS capabilities to cut down integration with ISS. Put it on Node 2 Forward (with PMA-2 moved to the forward end of the new commercial module).
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All in all, it would likely be more trouble that it's worth, so I doubt we'll ever see it happen. If ISS really needs more ports, a better idea would be to allow industry to design their own module, with it's own internal, external, and airlock/deployer facilities, and possibly even separate power/ECLSS capabilities to cut down integration with ISS. Put it on Node 2 Forward (with PMA-2 moved to the forward end of the new commercial module).
I suspect you think the chances of this are low, but if it did go ahead, why node 2 FWD?
Node 2 FWD will be the primary comm. crew docking location and is already a mess of adapters and such. I think they would prefer to replace PMA-3 at Node 2 Zenith, or am I forgetting something?
At either location, I also think it would be easier to just build an IDSS port into the new module and dump the PMA, rather than re-attach it.
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I am wondering if the new design is large enough to accommodate an astronaut in a space suit.
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I am wondering if the new design is large enough to accommodate an astronaut in a space suit.
You'd have to be in a pretty desperate situation to consider using it for such a purpose...
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I am wondering if the new design is large enough to accommodate an astronaut in a space suit.
You'd have to be in a pretty desperate situation to consider using it for such a purpose...
Apart from there being no resources for either Orlan or the US suit, what are the other issues that would make it desperate? If the prime US airlock were to suffer some sort of off-nominal situation, could this be used as a backup?
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I am wondering if the new design is large enough to accommodate an astronaut in a space suit.
You'd have to be in a pretty desperate situation to consider using it for such a purpose...
Apart from there being no resources for either Orlan or the US suit, what are the other issues that would make it desperate? If the prime US airlock were to suffer some sort of off-nominal situation, could this be used as a backup?
Bishop doesn't have a hatch. In order to "open" the airlock, you close the CBM on station and use SSRMS to maneuver the whole Bishop module to your smallsat deployment attitude or ORU workstation or whatever.
To reenter the station, the astronaut would have to crawl inside Bishop and hold real still while it's re-berthed and the CBM is opened.
Pirs is available for backup EVA.
May be possible to get in and out via Soyuz Orbital Module? I don't know if EMU will fit.
Other options would be find a way to spacewalk from a Commercial Crew Vehicle, get an Orion capsule to station, install a hatch in a Cygnus cargo module, refurbish ISS test/spare hardware, etc.
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Yeah, getting back in might be tough.
Soyuz does not have a hatch that can be used for EVA any more, except in the movie "Gravity".
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Soyuz does not have a hatch that cannot EVA any more, except in the movie "Gravity".
You are probably correct that the Soyuz side hatch cannot be operated by EVA astronaut.
I was confused: crew have practiced using the Soyuz Orbital Module as an airlock, but entering from Pirs via docking hatch. Then moving Soyuz to another port (or returning to earth).
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Correct. There is some utility equipment for Orlan in the OM, so the module can be used for internal unpressurized operations.
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Simple design is great, but that also means no provisions for handling small cargo delivery vehicles, or their cargo.
For example, a powered hard stand that can grapple the bell cap and a small delivery vehicle (grabbed by the arm and placed at the hardstand), allowing transfer of an external payload capsule from the delivery vehicle to be stuffed into the bell, which can then be reberthed for final delivery.
Simple example might be something like delivering an Intuitive Machines TRV, or an upmass only minimal pressuized cylinder to haul small sized cargos (food, gas/liquids) that are flexible or not dimensionally challenged (which would otherwise require a full sized cargo delivery vehicle).
This would essentially create an additional secondary cargo services market ecosystem, which would allow all those smallsat launchers to compete as small cargo delivery launch providers (and provide them with an anchor customer). Hell, the actual payload+service module delivery vehicle set could be made by the smallsat launcher folks or a thirdy party contracting with them.
This isn't all that far from a rumored proposal for a small cargo vehicle coming to ISS, getting locked down on the JEM porch, then passing the cargo through the JEM airlock.
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Simple design is great, but that also means no provisions for handling small cargo delivery vehicles, or their cargo.
For example, a powered hard stand that can grapple the bell cap and a small delivery vehicle (grabbed by the arm and placed at the hardstand), allowing transfer of an external payload capsule from the delivery vehicle to be stuffed into the bell, which can then be reberthed for final delivery.
Simple example might be something like delivering an Intuitive Machines TRV, or an upmass only minimal pressuized cylinder to haul small sized cargos (food, gas/liquids) that are flexible or not dimensionally challenged (which would otherwise require a full sized cargo delivery vehicle).
This would essentially create an additional secondary cargo services market ecosystem, which would allow all those smallsat launchers to compete as small cargo delivery launch providers (and provide them with an anchor customer). Hell, the actual payload+service module delivery vehicle set could be made by the smallsat launcher folks or a thirdy party contracting with them.
This isn't all that far from a rumored proposal for a small cargo vehicle coming to ISS, getting locked down on the JEM porch, then passing the cargo through the JEM airlock.
Would your proposed small items fit through a suit port?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suitport (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suitport)
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In theory, a cargo container delivered by a small vehicle could be grappled by Dextre using a micro square fixture, transferred to an facility on the exterior of ISS, and then transferred into ISS via the Bishop hatch.
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Simple design is great, but that also means no provisions for handling small cargo delivery vehicles, or their cargo.
For example, a powered hard stand that can grapple the bell cap and a small delivery vehicle (grabbed by the arm and placed at the hardstand), allowing transfer of an external payload capsule from the delivery vehicle to be stuffed into the bell, which can then be reberthed for final delivery.
Simple example might be something like delivering an Intuitive Machines TRV, or an upmass only minimal pressuized cylinder to haul small sized cargos (food, gas/liquids) that are flexible or not dimensionally challenged (which would otherwise require a full sized cargo delivery vehicle).
This would essentially create an additional secondary cargo services market ecosystem, which would allow all those smallsat launchers to compete as small cargo delivery launch providers (and provide them with an anchor customer). Hell, the actual payload+service module delivery vehicle set could be made by the smallsat launcher folks or a thirdy party contracting with them.
This isn't all that far from a rumored proposal for a small cargo vehicle coming to ISS, getting locked down on the JEM porch, then passing the cargo through the JEM airlock.
Would your proposed small items fit through a suit port?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suitport (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suitport)
I generally was picturing JEM airlock max dimension cargo cylinders or the Intuitive Machines TRV. Suitport might work if there's room on the far side to change orientation to fit through the port.
In theory, a cargo container delivered by a small vehicle could be grappled by Dextre using a micro square fixture, transferred to an facility on the exterior of ISS, and then transferred into ISS via the Bishop hatch.
Using Dextre seems like an interesting idea for capture, especially the smaller grapple fixture on the arriving vehicle side. The annoyance is the cargo transfer from the vehicle to bishop, as both bishop and the vehiclle more or less have to be next to each other and mounted on something to free the arm for the transfer operation, as it can't hold onto bishop while doing so. Well, unless you somehow use arm+Dextre to grab the vehicle, set it on the hardstand, offload Dextre onto the hardstand, then use the arm to get bishop close to Dextre for the cargo transfer. The final trick is the powered hardstand to hard dock the visiting vehicle and keep it idle powered to keep it warm. Arm reach from capture position to hardstand in one move might be difficult, considering the limited positions to place such a hardstand. I wonder if a PMA could be reused/retrofitted as a hardstand for a visiting small vehicle?
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Nanoracks already has an External Platform at ISS that may be useful in this regard.
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This would essentially create an additional secondary cargo services market ecosystem, which would allow all those smallsat launchers to compete as small cargo delivery launch providers (and provide them with an anchor customer). Hell, the actual payload+service module delivery vehicle set could be made by the smallsat launcher folks or a thirdy party contracting with them.
How much attention from the crew would this take? Thought there were already issues with crew time spent on cargo operations rather than science....
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This would essentially create an additional secondary cargo services market ecosystem, which would allow all those smallsat launchers to compete as small cargo delivery launch providers (and provide them with an anchor customer). Hell, the actual payload+service module delivery vehicle set could be made by the smallsat launcher folks or a thirdy party contracting with them.
How much attention from the crew would this take? Thought there were already issues with crew time spent on cargo operations rather than science....
Well, that depends on how much must be manually done still, and in the future. If arm+Dextre grapple and cargo ops can be done from the ground and bishop airlock operations can be largely untended, then it reduces to sniffing the airlock for contaminants, opening the CBM hatch, then popping the cargo cannister cap open and transfering goods. If those SPHERES robot balls ever get manipulators, they might be able to even do that from the ground as well. The point of bishop right now is to be an easier to use, somewhat larger cargo airlock compared to the JEM airlock, but that also assumes current crew and current cargo procedures largely (and NASA still allowing crew to do cargo servicing, at low cost).
One also cannot discount the possibility that the increasing pace of coresident commercial activities on ISS causing NASA to throw up their hands saying no more, forcing the need of a commercial crew astronaut being added at some point whose primary activities are servicing commercial payloads and cargo, and NASA farmng more internal maintenance activities to the contractor astronaut, ostensibly to allow "science" astronauts to focus on NASA/partner science work (outsourcing in space). One can easily imagine the contractor being asked to stay in the BEAM module.
Other possibilities include dragooning short stay space tourists as longshoremen with SPHERES oversight.
The long term view is providing a government anchor customer to develop the smallsat launchers and small cargo delivery systems as a marketplace, with the underlying assumption that the ISS experience will create defacto standards for later use on commercial stations/depots/facilities (Bigelow food deliveries, GEO space coral backbones adding limpet-like customers, spiderFAB construction shack materials deliveries). The absolute practicality of small cargo delivery to ISS may be marginal in and of itself, but it informs us about real operations that applies elsewhere. CCdev lit a fire under the larger space industry to provide cargo and crew systems in the absence of the shuttle, but the capsules/technology are still usable for other interests/uses. However, CCdev set the bar somewhat high, keeping most new players out of the game. Can you imagine what it would be like now without CCdev, maybe Orion, and that's it? With a suitable small cargo contract competition (aka microCCdev), all the smaller players can participate. Though that ends up placing a lot of responsibility/burden on Nanoracks to effectively shepard a new secondary marketplace, but to a degree they already dug that hole for themselves arranging cubesat tossing.
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I expect a lot of mounting locations for CLPA's /MDA's (wedge); Nanoracks refers to them as JCAP (JEM CLPA Adapter Plate), inside the airlock. I also expect that the required crew-time will be minimized, by launching ground assembled packages that can be bolted onto MDA (wedge) interfaces like the Kaber.
I read through the presentations from the Nanoracks Conference from last december (leiden, the Netherlands), and realised that really a lot of payloads need to go trough one of the airlocks. Lets name the different payload types:
1) JAXA Cubesats on J-SSOD
2) JAXA larger deployer
3) JAXA JOTI (ORU Transfer interface) i.a. the external material payloads, and ORU's
4) JAXA's Small Fine arm for modifications and repairs
5) NASA's Cyclops for small sat deployment
6) NanoRacks CubeSat Deployers NRCSD
7) Nanoracks Kaber with small sats
8 ) NREP (Nanoracks External Platform)
9) Payloads for MUSES (Teledyne) multi-payload camara platform (on platform derived from ESA's Solar?)
10) MISSE-X material experiments
11) MDA mounted external experiments (when the {experiment ELC} Bartolemeo platform is mounted to Columbus)
So the Bishop airlock is really necessary.
I expect that an (radiation hardened) E-nose (gas analising tool) will be mounted on the outside of node3, inside the CBM. It can analise the air so the crew doesn't have to do that.
{side node: hundreds of E-noses are used to monitor the air quality at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands}
Most probably the Bishop will only do about five airlock cycles per year. Will it be stowed at the LEE on the mobile base (MBS), so the payloads can be extracted and deployed or placed with Dextre (SPDM)?
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Cool!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/02/iss-set-first-commercial-airlock-external-payloads-cubesats/
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Pressers:
http://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-boeing-first-commercial-airlock-module-on-iss/
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/progress-underway-for-first-commercial-airlock-on-space-station
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Eric's clearly been sat on this story for a while and had one ready to go :)
https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/01/to-boost-commercial-activity-nasa-may-add-private-airlock-to-iss/
(more images and quotes).
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Boeing release, nothing much other than citing they are in:
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2017-02-06-Boeing-NanoRacks-Partner-to-Create-First-Commercial-Airlock
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I can't find the SAA. I can find it listed in this document (21367, Low-Earth Orbit Commercial Services Development):
https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/NonFed_Agreements_Active_Pub3_31_2014_AE.pdf?rhid=1000&did=1848490&type=released
According to the Aviation Week, it is unfunded.
I imagine that transportation to the ISS is provided by NASA free of charge.
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Eric's clearly been sat on this story for a while and had one ready to go :)
https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/01/to-boost-commercial-activity-nasa-may-add-private-airlock-to-iss/
(more images and quotes).
Although still relevant, that article is actually from last year.
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Excellent news! A great use of the Node 3 Port CBM (since pretty much nothing else will fit there).
Good to see an increasing number of commercial modules being added to ISS - hopefully BEAM will become a permanent module too.
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Here's a relevant presentation.
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Eric's clearly been sat on this story for a while and had one ready to go :)
https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/01/to-boost-commercial-activity-nasa-may-add-private-airlock-to-iss/
(more images and quotes).
Although still relevant, that article is actually from last year.
Here's his current article:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/02/the-international-space-station-will-get-a-new-private-airlock-in-2019/
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I assuming this will be launched as an external Dragon payload.
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I assuming this will be launched as an external Dragon payload.
yes, NR applied for 2019 flight and is awaiting approval or denial with bump to available 2020 slot. The Dragon Trunk (ULC) slot will be decided at a later date.
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Boeing? Thats interesting, last I heard OrbitalATK would be building Bishop. Maybe Boeing figured this would be useful for their other station plans
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Boeing is fabricating the passive CBM.
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Boeing? Thats interesting, last I heard OrbitalATK would be building Bishop. Maybe Boeing figured this would be useful for their other station plans
Boeing is USOS Prime Contractor. Boeing will supply the PCBM and associated hardware and OA will build the remaining hardware and perform integration and testing.
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So let me see if I have this straight. Boeing / NanoRacks is getting $15,000,000 to essentially build a cap...
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So let me see if I have this straight. Boeing / NanoRacks is getting $15,000,000 to essentially build a cap...
A cap that has to be berthed and unberthed many times and can contain payload dispensers. And I don't think the $15 million is just for construction, it's the overall project cost.
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So let me see if I have this straight. Boeing / NanoRacks is getting $15,000,000 to essentially build a cap...
If you had any idea of the requirements that go into it and what it takes to meet them, you'd see that $15M is really not a lot of money. This adds a new pressurized element to ISS, and it's being designed to be removed, replaced, and reconfigured several times.
If you're into clothing for ISS, there's a new shield going up soon that is colloquially referred to as the "bow tie." That goes hand-in-hand with the cummerbund that's already up there.
All we need is a monocle and some tails, and we're all set!
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So let me see if I have this straight. Boeing / NanoRacks is getting $15,000,000 to essentially build a cap...
Nanoracks isn't getting funding from NASA. It's their own money. It's an unfunded SAA.
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Jeff Manber discussing NanoRacks’ commercial airlock plans; notes it’s “close to be manifested” for launch to ISS in 2019. #IAC2017
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/912855075109855232
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So let me see if I have this straight. Boeing / NanoRacks is getting $15,000,000 to essentially build a cap...
Nanoracks isn't getting funding from NASA. It's their own money. It's an unfunded SAA.
Nanoracks pays Boeing to build Bishop
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Nanoracks having their own crew on the ISS would be a watershed moment, I think.
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Nanoracks having their own crew on the ISS would be a watershed moment, I think.
If the pace of deployables keeps picking up, they'll need it because NASA doesn't want astronauts to be part time warehouse monkeys when they have maintenance and science to do.
Which would mean a Nanoracks astronaut would essentially be the outsourced doorman/janitor for ISS. Not that is such a bad thing, and there are people willing to kill for such a slot, even if they have to shack up in BEAM...
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I think a lot off people have missed the bad part of the current news release about the bishop airlock.
When it was first published, at the 2016 ISS R&D conference if I'm not mistaken, it was planned for launch in 2018. Now it is planned for 2019.
The bishop airlock and the Bartolomeo exposed payload platform were compeating for the trunk space of two SpX Dragon launches. Apparently Bartolomeo got the first slot and Bishop the second. I'm wondering the reasoning behind this, because Bishop is needed for the full utilisation of Bartolomeo.
Edit: It were SpX19 and SpX21 were Bishop and Bartolomeo were compeating for. Both were planed for NET 2019.
IDA-3 was planned for SpX-16, possibly the complete schedule is altered.
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NanoRacks raises funding for commercial airlock module
by Jeff Foust — October 3, 2017
SYDNEY — NanoRacks announced Oct. 3 that it had raised an undisclosed amount to support development of a commercial airlock module for the International Space Station.
http://spacenews.com/nanoracks-raises-funding-for-commercial-airlock-module/ (http://spacenews.com/nanoracks-raises-funding-for-commercial-airlock-module/)
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Nanoracks gave a presentation about their airlock at the ISS R&D Conference 2017.
It can be downloaded here. ISS R&D 2017 - commercial airlock (https://www.xcdsystem.com/ISS/program/OC7RqJp/index.cfm?pgid=1082&search=1&qtype=keyword&q=Commercial+Airlock&submit=Go)
[Click the paper name _ Scroll to the bottom of the pop-up window _ "Click to view" pdf link]
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After reading plans of Bartolomeo platform allowing larger external payloads if they could fit through the Bishop A/L, I've been trying to find info on how such payloads would be transferred. How does the hand-off work? I thought Bishop was depressurized and unberthed as a unit and held by the SSRMS. So, I get how they are deploying the "haybale" deployers (NRSS or Lightband) but how do they move external payloads out with the arm already engaged in holding the airlock?
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<snip>
Node 3 Port has clearance issues with the rotating Port TRRJ, hence robotics access may be an issue.
In the presentation you linked in this comment (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36955.msg1639083#msg1639083) there was a slide that listed the clearance with the A/L installed on Node 3 Port to the Port HRS as 18 inches. Linking a screencap.
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Manber: NanoRacks’ airlock module manifested for launch to the ISS in 2019. Will allow us to do more satellite deployments from the station than possible today with the Japanese module airlock. #SpaceComExpo
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/938433459944591362 (https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/938433459944591362)
--- Tony
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Virtually all new systems suffer schedule slip.
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Virtually all new systems suffer schedule slip.
Schedule and cost estimates assume that nothing will go wrong. Since something always goes wrong then either double or triple the estimate to get how much you are going to pay and when to expect to get the item.
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In point of fact, almost all major projects have "slip time" built into them. This is time pre-dedicated to handle the unanticipated problems that will crop up as a program processes.
AFAIK, very few (if any) major development programs have ever come in on time and on budget without slip times having been built in. All that it means is that the program proposers had a better-than-average feel for the kinds of issues they might encounter, and how much slip time to build into their development schedule to account for them.
When you hear about a major program that can "still officially make its launch date" but that almost everyone is expecting to encounter a major slip, it usually means that all of the project's slip time has been used up, well short of the finish line. If absolutely nothing else happens to delay any aspect of the development, then yeah, it will make the date. But that it's extraordinarily unlikely that there will be no further delays to deal with....
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Some news about the Bishop airlock from Nanoracks (http://nanoracks.com/nanoracks-adds-thales-alenia-space-to-airlock/)
Thales Alenia Space will be added to the industrial team. They will build and test the pressure shell.
Launch is planned for End 2019, SpX-19. (nice combination :D)
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After reading plans of Bartolomeo platform allowing larger external payloads if they could fit through the Bishop A/L, I've been trying to find info on how such payloads would be transferred. How does the hand-off work? I thought Bishop was depressurized and unberthed as a unit and held by the SSRMS. So, I get how they are deploying the "haybale" deployers (NRSS or Lightband) but how do they move external payloads out with the arm already engaged in holding the airlock?
Since Bishop A/L has a few grapple fixtures on its exterior would be handed off to eitherJEM RMS or MBS POA and the object extracted via Dextre. The Deployers I believe would be attached to Bishop via a common FRAM interface.
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http://nanoracks.com/airlock-bishop-completes-critical-design-review/ (http://nanoracks.com/airlock-bishop-completes-critical-design-review/)
The NanoRacks Space Station Airlock Module “Bishop” met another major milestone with completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) on March 20 and 21, 2018 in Houston, Texas. This milestone begins the transition from the engineering design phase to the fabrication phase. Detailed design drawings such as those for the critical pressure shell will be signed and released to NanoRacks fabrication partner, Thales Alenia Space, in order for them to continue their fabrication efforts.
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http://nanoracks.com/airlock-bishop-completes-critical-design-review/ (http://nanoracks.com/airlock-bishop-completes-critical-design-review/)
The NanoRacks Space Station Airlock Module “Bishop” met another major milestone with completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) on March 20 and 21, 2018 in Houston, Texas. This milestone begins the transition from the engineering design phase to the fabrication phase. Detailed design drawings such as those for the critical pressure shell will be signed and released to NanoRacks fabrication partner, Thales Alenia Space, in order for them to continue their fabrication efforts.
From the same press release:
The next major milestone is the Phase II Safety Review scheduled for June 2018. The project is still on track to meet the SpaceX CRS-19 launch, targeting fourth quarter 2019.
Given the trend in scheduling of distant CRS missions, likely to end up in 2020.
Also, in perusing NanoRack's airlock webpage (http://nanoracks.com/products/airlock/), I came across a new version of their airlock presentation. Compared to the 2017 version, they added some nice new slides in the beginning giving company information/highlights as well as mentioning their intentions to move into building commercial stations in the future. Besides that and an update to their schedule most of the changes are minor/cosmetic. I'm attaching both the new presentation in pdf form and a screencap of the updated schedule (which, based on the press release posted above, is now looking like it is a month behind).
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Tweet from NanoRacks (https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1016703802022486016):
Last week, our team had a great visit to see our friends at @Thales_Alenia_S. #Bishop Airlock manufacturing is well underway. The forging (shown here) is currently 7,700 lbs. The final flight unit post-machining will be only 718 lbs - about 10% of the starting weight! #ISS
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:o we overlooked it again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6lBmmxScsI
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Very cool. Great find.
One thing I've always been unclear about is their monetization mechanism/model. I can understand charging "rent" for external payloads that are attached to the airlock. But how exactly do they get paid for operating the airlock directly? Does NASA pay them per operation? or do small sat or micro/cube sat companies pay to go through the gate? Or is NASA essentially paying a flat contract for supplied services up to X number of openings per year?
Has anyone seen or heard anything directly addressing this?
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1083672402855411712
Our team worked hard over through New Year's as the #Bishop Airlock (quite literally) continues to take shape in Italy. Thanks to our friends at @Thales_Alenia_S for their dedicated work on this historic first commercial module addition to the @Space_Station. #ISS
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Uses equalaterial trunnion pins like the IDA's. Not sure if it will be secured in the trunk the same way.
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https://twitter.com/NanoRacks/status/1098594469518196736
We have a #BishopAirlock update! Working very closely with @NASA and @BoeingSpace, #BishopAirlock is targeting launch to @Space_Station on @SpaceX CRS-21 next year! Manufacturing is near completion, and seal leak checks are complete at the @Thales_Alenia_S facility in Italy.
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https://twitter.com/jeffmanber/status/1142275446584856582
#Houston, we have an...AIRLOCK! The #Bishop Airlock has arrived safely to our new facilities in Houston, and we'll soon be up and running in our new clean room. #MiniAirlock got the first look of course! Thanks again to @Thales_Alenia_S for sending over Bishop safe & sound! #ISS
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https://spacenews.com/momentus-nanoracks-pact/
Momentus to rely on NanoRacks airlock for Vigoride shuttle
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The first commercial airlock is heading to the International Space Station later this year
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Nanoracks’ Bishop airlock is slated to fly on SpaceX’s next cargo mission
By Loren Grush@lorengrush Sep 15, 2020, 5:06pm EDT
Later this year, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will take off from central Florida, carrying a large metal cup destined to be attached to the outside of the International Space Station. The hardware is a first-of-its-kind commercial airlock, designed to get payloads and other materials from inside the pressurized space station out into the vacuum of space.
https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/15/21437672/nanoracks-bishop-commercial-airlock-spacex-international-space-station-satellite-deployment
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https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1306596780826677249
https://spacenews.com/nanoracks-finalizing-space-station-airlock-and-new-funding-round/
https://twitter.com/ISS_CASIS/status/1306294793509703680
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https://twitter.com/nanoracks/status/1309555265834975232?s=21
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https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1311737261441069058
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https://twitter.com/nanoracks/status/1312024238065356807
Yesterday, @BoeingSpace completed the PCBM installation. #BishopAirlock, you are looking mighty fine.
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https://twitter.com/nanoracks/status/1314190225141387264
We're getting close. #BishopAirlock
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasakennedy/50483084341/
NASA Kennedy
KSC-20201007-PH-KLS01_0063
Nanoracks technicians work on the NanoRacks Bishop Airlock inside the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 7, 2020. The next-generation Nanoracks payload facility is being prepared for its flight to the International Space Station on SpaceX's 21st commercial resupply services mission (CRS-21) to the International Space Station. The Bishop Airlock is the first commercially funded airlock for the space station. It will provide payload hosting, robotics testing, satellite deployment, serve as an outside toolbox for station crew spacewalks, and more. CRS-21 is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy's Launch Complex 39A.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1318557080479952896
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https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1318557080479952896
#BishopAirlock News: @esa has pre-purchased five airlock cycles, and @NASA six, with an option for four additional cycles at a discounted rate. Read our announcement here: http://nanoracks.com/bishop-airlock-nasa-esa-purchase (http://nanoracks.com/bishop-airlock-nasa-esa-purchase) #ISS
That kind of was to be expected. But still very nice news.
The Nanoracks Bishop Airlock and (Airbus) Bartolomeo External platform combined, extend the external utilization capability a lot. The bishop airlock makes it possible to launch external payloads pressurized, and return external payloads. That capability was lost when the spaceshuttle was retired. Bartolomeo (8-12) and Bishop (6) combined add 14 to 18 GOLD2 external payload slots. I think multiple GOLD2 payloads can be transferred with each Bishop airlock cycle.
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I don't think I've seen this NanoRacks patent from a few months ago discussed https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200156810
Looks like they're considering Bishop follow-ons (likely in the form of additional cylinder segments between Bishop itself and ISS) for FRAM-mounted payloads and human EVA. The human EVA part is interesting as previous official diagrams showed them favoring a stretched single-piece airlock for humans
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Looks like they're considering Bishop follow-ons (likely in the form of additional cylinder segments between Bishop itself and ISS) for FRAM-mounted payloads and human EVA.
Bishop + this cylinder extension would not be able to clear the radiator berthed at the end of node 3. It would need to move somewhere else to be stacked. In the diagram's case that is BEAM's current berthing port.
I wonder if Biglow's financial issues affect BEAM's future. It was previously reviewed for the capability to extend its mission into 2028+.
Per the patent info and attached concept graphics show Bishop extensions would berth in the example to where BEAM is and BEAM would either be jettisoned or relocated to N1N or a future module. The extensions could be installed at many ACBM locations. Other existing capable locations include N1N, N2F, N2Z, N2N, N3F, N3A, and N3N. Note that one version in the document is a rehash of their NR LUNA Module (Lightweight Urthecast NanoRacks Alcove), that was shelved when BEAM was assigned N3A, by replacing GOLD interface Urthecast hardware with a 7 AFRAM. With LUNA losing its slot to BEAM the A/L function became Bishop which responded to the RFP for a commercial module whilst providing critical Node 3 endcone ACBM MMOD protection. This patent builds upon their patents for LUNA and Russian projects.
Early design (graphic shown predates the switch from GOLD[1] to Active FRAM's) Nanoracks LUNA Module archival info: https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/luna.htm
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I don't think I've seen this NanoRacks patent from a few months ago discussed https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200156810
Looks like they're considering Bishop follow-ons (likely in the form of additional cylinder segments between Bishop itself and ISS) for FRAM-mounted payloads and human EVA. The human EVA part is interesting as previous official diagrams showed them favoring a stretched single-piece airlock for humans
Interesting idea, but a possible issue with putting it on Node 3 Aft port would be clearances with the semi-stowed FGB solar array. I wonder if there's any way they could retract it some more...
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I don't think I've seen this NanoRacks patent from a few months ago discussed https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200156810
Looks like they're considering Bishop follow-ons (likely in the form of additional cylinder segments between Bishop itself and ISS) for FRAM-mounted payloads and human EVA. The human EVA part is interesting as previous official diagrams showed them favoring a stretched single-piece airlock for humans
Interesting idea, but a possible issue with putting it on Node 3 Aft port would be clearances with the semi-stowed FGB solar array. I wonder if there's any way they could retract it some more...
as with Mir and predecessor station modules some were designed to be relocated and others ejected via EVA and arm or replaced. I'm not sure of Zarya's capabilities. I know the drive motors and other motors were disconnected from power and data circuitry however I seem to vaguely recall several iterations of a plan to remove and return them on Shuttle for now cancelled RS modules and later as a back-up set for now MLM-U. There was also at one time a graphic showing Zarya's arrays being moved to Nauka before departure under early DAC for the OPSEK ROS proposal.
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It seems extraction and relocation of the Nanoracks Bishop airlock will take place from 23:20 to 2:20 UTC tonight.
About 4 hours until this happens! It’s installation day for the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock onto the International Space Station and her new home on Node 3 @ Nanoracks
For all you Airlock super fans out there, some more details:
1. We hope some of it will be broadcast on NASA TV but not sure. 🤞
2. Grapple by the SSRMS (robot arm) around 5:20 central time
3. Total process will take about 3 hours
4. No Airlock activation tonight 😢. Later..
https://twitter.com/B_Rock_Howe/status/1340395070189678593
It might be webcast here:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-stream
https://youtu.be/8tlDZwswPOw
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https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1340465993076903936
View from inside Dragon during extraction.
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twitter.com/nanoracks/status/1340479373468721152
#BishopAirlock out of the #Dragon trunk and on its way to Node 3!
https://twitter.com/nanoracks/status/1340501360681345025
We made it.
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Footage of installation (and pic of Bishop and BEAM together)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVm4t6Cu_3A
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iss064e013203 (Dec. 20, 2020) --- The NanoRacks Bishop airlock is pictured after its was installed to the port side of the Tranquility module and still attached to the Canadarm2 robotic arm. Adjacent to Bishop on the aft side of Tranquility is BEAM, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module. Bishop increases the station’s capacity for private and public research and also enables the release of larger satellites and the transfer of cargo inside and outside the station.
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In this photo you can see the CBCS* target installed across Bishop.
*Centerline Berthing Camera System - a camera looking through the CBM hatch porthole used to guide modules into position during berthing, which uses the target as an alignment guide.
I asked Brock Howe (@B_Rock_Howe), Nanoracks Bishop program manager, on Twitter about how this will affect satellite deployments from Bishop, his response was interesting:
I'm wondering how cubesat deployment from Bishop will work with the CBCS reflector in the way?
Good question! The CBCS target is only used for this initial berthing. The target will be removed by the crew after hatch opening. During this first berthing, the robotics team took joint angle measurements at various waypoints on the way to getting us to Node 3. On subsequent Airlock sorties, the robotic team will fly the arm to these waypoints to bring us back home again. Pretty cool stuff by the Canadarm2 and the ISS robotics ream!
This is another innovative first for the ISS program I believe!
I also asked him about Bishop depressurisation:
How will Bishop depressurisation work? Will you connect up to Quest airlock pump via extension hose to recover any air into ISS? I presume Bishop has its own electrically-operated depress valve?
NASA developed an air save pump called the Pressure Management Device that connects to the Node 3 hatch equalization valve. It will pump the air out of Bishop Airlock into Node 3 down to about 1 psi. The last 1 psi is vented overboard via the PMD. To pressurize the Bishop Airlock , the equalization valve and a valve in the PMD are opened to naturally let the air flow into the Airlock. There are stopping points at various pressures to perform leak checks to ensure crew safety prior to hatch opening and crew ingress.
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Here's some good info on the GOLD2 connectors used on Bishop (also used on MISSE-FF and Bartolomeo).
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Here's some good info on the GOLD2 connectors used on Bishop (also used on MISSE-FF and Bartolomeo).
I'm less sure MISSE-FF also uses the GOLD2 interface, I think it might use a smaller GOLD interface.
But it's a nice document and both Bishop Airlock and Bartolomeo host GOLD2 payloads.
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I'm less sure MISSE-FF also uses the GOLD2 interface, I think it might use a smaller GOLD interface.
But it's a nice document and both Bishop Airlock and Bartolomeo host GOLD2 payloads.
Here's a photo of MISSE-FF samples inside the ISS - the connectors would appear to be GOLD2 interfaces, except they are black in colour rather than blue/gold.
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https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1352771990327865344
https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/HWHAP/commercial-airlock
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https://twitter.com/B_Rock_Howe/status/1356714148911079426
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https://twitter.com/B_Rock_Howe/status/1356768847626461185
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https://twitter.com/B_Rock_Howe/status/1356809390418984961
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https://twitter.com/a_leinfelder/status/1357009375857106947
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I'm less sure MISSE-FF also uses the GOLD2 interface, I think it might use a smaller GOLD interface.
But it's a nice document and both Bishop Airlock and Bartolomeo host GOLD2 payloads.
Here's a photo of MISSE-FF samples inside the ISS - the connectors would appear to be GOLD2 interfaces, except they are black in colour rather than blue/gold.
AFAIU Black is GOLD1.
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https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1357798208857137156
Woohoo!!! @Nanoracks #BishopAirlock pressurization and leak check is complete! ✅ She passed with flying colors!!!
Next step is Node 3 hatch opening and crew ingress which is scheduled for Monday morning.
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I don't think I've seen this NanoRacks patent from a few months ago discussed https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200156810
Looks like they're considering Bishop follow-ons (likely in the form of additional cylinder segments between Bishop itself and ISS) for FRAM-mounted payloads and human EVA. The human EVA part is interesting as previous official diagrams showed them favoring a stretched single-piece airlock for humans
I don't see where the patent discusses human EVA through a Bishop airlock extended by this kind of cylinder. Is there another source for that?
Also, paint me dubious about any airlock for human EVA where the human can't close the hatch themselves. Relying on a robotic arm seems risky. ("Open the pod bay doors please, HAL." ;-)
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Best view currently available looking into Bishop from Node 3.
From B_Rock_Howe on Twitter.
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Some great views inside Bishop!
https://twitter.com/B_Rock_Howe/status/1366198378904903682
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This by-the-way is the best photo of the CBM that I've ever seen, as every major component is visible, which really helps to see how it works.
I've labelled some of the major components in this image.
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NASA Johnson photos from flickr of first crew entry to Bishop airlock
https://flic.kr/p/2kHwtr3
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I can see why Nanoracks is bummed about NASA massively jacking up prices for crew time and upmass/downmass, right as they've got this nifty facility up and running. I guess NASA prefers Axiom's business model, where they procure their own CCT/CRS-class missions and fly their own crew.
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https://twitter.com/nanoracks/status/1369647304890793985
🛰LIVE THREAD🛰
At 8:05 am CST we will be doing a live downlink with ISS crew members Shannon Walker where the Nanoracks team will be asking questions about the new installed Bishop Airlock and commercialization in space!
https://youtu.be/21X5lGlDOfg
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Some cool stuff going on at the @Nanoracks #BishopAirlock facility with a successful end-to-end test of our trash deployer system today. Next deployment: on-orbit demo this fall! And no, you don't actually see the trash bag in this test as it's too heavy in the 1g environment.
https://twitter.com/B_Rock_Howe/status/1400526850917601291
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Interview with Nanoracks on 24th May.
https://mainenginecutoff.com/podcast
Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk
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Last week the @Space_Station crew set up the new GITAI robotic arm technology demonstration. The GITAI tech demo will test the small robotic arm’s ability to push buttons, flip switches and plug and unplug cables inside the station saving the crew time.
https://twitter.com/ISS_Research/status/1450852582373662725
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Two interesting Nanoracks patents I came across:
This one about Bishop operations, also detailing a ring-style CBM extender module for FRAM payloads that Bishop could berth to.
https://uspto.report/patent/app/20210031953
This one is interesting too - an SSRMS grapple fixture deployment device for jettisoning unwanted external hardware.
https://uspto.report/patent/app/20200216200
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Thanks @Space_Pete ICYMI We’ve got no shortage of great ideas for increasing #spacestation utilization. Actually, we have so many ideas that we decided to build our own!
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1489397523504578561
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A fun time when the Space Exploration Educators Conference is in town as some space loving teachers come to visit
@Nanoracks and learn about what we do here and especially the #BishopAirlock. Thanks for coming to visit and take that enthusiasm back to those kids and inspire them!
https://twitter.com/B_Rock_Howe/status/1490678316742885378
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Spring Cleaning: Voyager & Nanoracks’ Bishop Airlock Brings Innovative Solutions Supporting Sustainability and Technology Efforts to ISS..
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1496156540805566465
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Footage featuring the GITAI S1 autonomous space robot’s technology demonstration inside the ISS - ( From 2021 )
https://youtu.be/TpPlBEcmYy8
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FYI @planet4589
@Space_Pete In answer to questions as to how the #Nanoracks #BishopAirlock #ISS Trash disposal system works, here is a cross section of the fully-deployed trash bag and its internal structure and another look at a spring mechanism unit.
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1496989989837623298
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This concept for Space Station garbage disposal, designed by @Nanoracks was launched on NASA's last resupply mission, CRS17. The concept is designed to be used by BishopAirlock to remove unnecessary items from ISS..
https://twitter.com/FronteraSpacial/status/1497353215330902020
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The #Nanoracks trash disposal concept has arrived at the #spacestation It is designed to be used with our #BishopAirlock to remove unneeded items (Trash) from #ISS Here's a video of spring mechanism testing.
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1497335483382304774
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The #Nanoracks trash disposal concept was launched to the #spacestation on #CRS17 It is designed to be used with our #BishopAirlock to remove unneeded items from #ISS - Here are some additional ground testing pictures.
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1497317226575118339
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For quantum computers to communicate in the future, they'll need a dedicated comms network. Later this year, a tiny experiment called SEAQUE will go to the @Space_Station's @Nanoracks Bishop airlock to test 2 technologies that could make this a reality
https://twitter.com/astroengine/status/1500902572294475777
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FYI @planet4589
@Space_Pete In answer to questions as to how the #Nanoracks #BishopAirlock #ISS Trash disposal system works, here is a cross section of the fully-deployed trash bag and its internal structure and another look at a spring mechanism unit.
https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1496989989837623298
First deployment use of NRAL (Bishop A/L) and the NRTDS deployer with NR Trash Bag-1 is scheduled for July 02, 2022.
ISS Daily Summary Report – 6/24/2022
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Nanoracks Airlock (NRAL) Trash Audit: Today, the crew audited trash that is expected to be loaded in the NRAL Trash Bag for disposal. The NRAL Airlock Trash Deploy is planned for July 2nd.
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ISS Daily Summary Report – 6/27/2022
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Payloads:
...
NanoRacks Bishop Airlock (NRAL): The crew reviewed the big picture words in preparation for the testing of the system’s trash deployment capability later in the week. NRAL is the first-ever commercially owned and operated airlock on the ISS. It provides a variety of capabilities including jettisoning of payloads such as CubeSats, deployment of external payloads, support for small exterior payloads and locker-sized internal payloads, recovery of external on-orbit replaceable units (ORUs), and the ability to move hardware outside in support of extravehicular activities (EVAs). It is approximately five times larger than the JEM Airlock so it can accommodate more and larger payloads. NRAL’s capabilities support many different types of scientific investigations.
...
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ISS Daily Summary Report – 6/28/2022
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Systems:
NanoRacks Bishop Airlock (NRAL) Trash Deploy Preparations: Today, the crew cleared stowage from the Node 3 Port Endcone and removed vestibule covers, kickplates, and Control Panel Assemblies (CPAs) on NRAL to give access to NRAL for trash deploy activities. The crew also installed trash deployment hardware in NRAL. NRAL trash deploy activities will be completed throughout the week in preparation for the planned Jettison on Saturday. NRAL is the first-ever commercially owned and operated airlock on the ISS. It provides a variety of capabilities including jettisoning of payloads such as CubeSats, deployment of external payloads, support for small exterior payloads and locker-sized internal payloads, recovery of external on-orbit replaceable units (ORUs), and the ability to move hardware outside in support of extravehicular activities (EVAs) and remove trash from station. It is approximately five times larger than the JEM Airlock so it can accommodate more and larger payloads. NRAL’s capabilities support many different types of scientific investigations.
........
Today’s Ground Activities:
All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.
Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Walkoff to Lab PDGF
......
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Official high data rate/ultra high definition video with camera timestamps and NASA Truss HD camera:
Deploy view 1:
https://youtu.be/A-LY8ZZJ0nM
Deploy view 2:
https://youtu.be/pyldo8pngV8
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Cross post:
Robotics operations today - SSRMS (which is currently based on the US Lab PDGF) picked up Dextre a couple days ago, and today they used it to relocate the Gambit experiment package (which was installed on the exterior of the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock back on 28 August 2023) from Site D to Site C.
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A time-lapse video of the installation of the GITAI S2 robotic arm test payload being installed on position D on the exterior of the Nanoracks Airlock:
https://twitter.com/GITAI_HQ/status/1761038155291980033