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Service Life Extension of the ISS Propulsion System ElementsThe International Space Station (ISS) is a result of international collaboration in building a sophisticated laboratory of an unprecedented scale in Low Earth Orbit. After a complex assembly sequence spanning over a decade, some of the early modules launched at the beginning of the program would reach the end of their certified lives, while the newer modules were just being commissioned into operation. To maximize the return on global investments in this one-of-a-kind orbiting platform that was initially conceived for a service life until 2016, it is essential for the cutting edge research on ISS to continue as long as the station can be sustained safely in orbit. ISS Program is assessing individual modules in detail to extend the service life of the ISS to 2024, and possibly to 2028. Without life extension, Functional Cargo Block (known by its Russian acronym as FGB) and the Service Module (SM), two of the early modules on the Russian Segment, would reach the end of their certified lives in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Both FGB and SM are critical for the propulsive function of the ISS. This paper describes the approach used for the service life extension of the FGB propulsion system. Also presented is an overview of the system description along with the process adopted for developing the life test plans based on considerations of system failure modes, fault tolerance and safety provisions. Tests and analyses performed, important findings and life estimates are summarized. Based on the life extension data, FGB propulsion system, in general, is considered ready for a service life until 2028.
Document ID
20150012224
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kamath, Ulhas
(Boeing Co. Houston, TX, United States)
Grant, Gregory
(Boeing Co. Houston, TX, United States)
Kuznetsov, Sergei
(Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center Moscow, Russian Federation)
Shaevich, Sergey
(Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center Moscow, Russian Federation)
Spencer, Victor
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
July 1, 2015
Publication Date
July 27, 2015
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-33665-1
JSC-CN-32180-1
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference
Location: Orlando, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: July 27, 2015
End Date: July 29, 2015
Sponsors: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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