Author Topic: STS-126 - New ISS Galley (Read 3923 times)

kschachn · « **on:** 04/18/2008 07:13 pm »

Does anyone have specific information on the new galley that STS-126 is delivering to the ISS? I have looked around both here and on the general web and can't find much that gives any details.

I was wondering if it included a refrigerator for food?

eeergo · « **Reply #1 on:** 04/20/2008 04:13 pm »

I read somewhere it would include cold water, something which, surprising as it may seem, isn't available right now. The Zvezda galley only provides hot water (though I think its temperature can be selected between 2 or 3 choices) I think a refrigerator is also included, because in that same document there was some talk about ice-creams.

I don't remember where this info was, though, so someone more knowledgeable will have to elaborate...

kschachn · « **Reply #2 on:** 04/21/2008 03:42 pm »

Thanks. Yeah, that is about all I could find as well. It seems as though this new galley is somewhat of a mystery.

I knew they didn't have cold water. I also know they don't currently have a refrigerator nor a food freezer, although it appears as one of each may have been in the ISS design at one time. Those devices take a fair amount of electricity (as would a water chiller) so that might contribute to today's lack of one on the station. The ISS residents have it worse than the sailors on a strategic sub. At least they have refrigerators to keep fresh foods for a while.

One thing that I guess I knew but hadn't really thought about is that the ISS doesn't make any water by itself (no fuel cells). So water conservation is obviously a greater concern than it is on the shuttle.