Structure and function of the International Space Station

The overall design of the International Space Station adopts the truss pod structure, that is, the truss is the basic structure, and compression chamber and other services are anchored on the truss to form the truss pod space station. Its overall layout is shown in the figure. Generally speaking, the International Space Station can be regarded as a combination of two parts: one part is based on Russian multifunctional modules and connected with Russian service module, experimental module, life support module, American experimental module, Japanese experimental module and ESA's "Columbus" orbital facility through docking module and node module.

Docking to form the core part of the space station; The other part is the truss structure of the United States, which is equipped with the Canadian teleoperation manipulator service system and the extravehicular equipment of the space station. Four pairs of large solar panels are installed at both ends of the truss. These two parts intersect vertically to form a "dragon skeleton", which not only strengthens the rigidity of the space station, but also facilitates the normal work of subsystems, scientific experimental equipment and instruments, and is conducive to the assembly and maintenance of astronauts out of the cabin. Various components of the International Space Station were developed by cooperative countries, among which the United States and Russia provided the most components, followed by ESA, Japan, Canada and Italy. The core components of these components include multifunctional module, service module, experimental module and teleoperation manipulator. The multifunctional cabin (FGB) developed in Russia has many functions such as propulsion, navigation, communication, power generation, heat protection, residence, fuel storage and docking. It provides power, orbit height control and computer instructions during the initial assembly of the International Space Station. During the operation of the International Space Station, it can provide orbital maneuverability and store propellant. As the control center during the assembly of the International Space Station, the Russian service module is used for attitude control and re-propulsion of the entire International Space Station. There are life support facilities such as toilets, sleeping bags and refrigerators, which can accommodate three astronauts. It also has a pair of solar panels that can provide electricity for Russian components. The experimental module is the main place for scientific research on the International Space Station, including the experimental module and centrifugal engine room in the United States, the research module in Russia, the Columbus orbital facility of ESA and the experimental module in Japan. Most of the experimental equipment and instruments in the cabin are placed in international standard cabinets for easy maintenance and replacement. The telemanipulator developed in Canada is17.6m long and can move the payload weighing about 20 tons, with the size of18.3m× 4.6m. It can be used for the assembly and maintenance of the space station, the docking and separation of orbiters, the operation of payload and the assistance of extravehicular activities, and will play a key role in the assembly and maintenance of the international space station. The International Space Station consists of the following parts: Russian Progress-M45, Soyuz-TM23, Progress -M-C0 1, Russian Morningstar service module, Dawn working module, American Unity connecting module, Goddess experimental module and Russian Dawn small experimental module.

The space station has a 13 module launched by Russia, the United States, the European Union and Japan, weighing 400 tons.

Dawn work module

Dawn module is the first component of the International Space Station, which was jointly developed by Khrunichev Space Center and Boeing Company of the United States. According to the contract signed in August 1995, Khrunichev Center is responsible for the design, production and testing of cargo hold. Khrunichev Center completed the assembly of Dawning module on1996165438+1October 27th, that is, one year ahead of the scheduled launch time. However, due to the unfinished work of other parts of the International Space Station, the launch of Dawn was delayed twice.

Dawn weighs 24.2 tons (including 4.5 tons of fuel), is 13 meters long and has an internal volume of about 72 cubic meters (usable area of 40 square meters). It can fly continuously for 430 days and nights without refueling.

Dawn is a large cabin similar to Mir space station. As the foundation of the space station, it can provide many functions such as power supply, propulsion, navigation, communication, attitude control, temperature control, and pressure microclimate environment. It evolved from the crystal module on the Mir space station, with a design life of 13 years and a maximum power supply of 6 kW. The docking device can connect four spacecraft.

1998165438+1On October 20th, the Russian Proton -K rocket sent Dawn into the scheduled orbit.

Unified node module

Unity node module is the first module built by the United States for the International Space Station and the second module of the International Space Station.

Unity node module costs 300 million dollars, with a diameter of 5 meters, a length of 6 meters and six doors. It is used as a docking interface to connect other cabins to be launched in the future.

On February 4th, Unity was launched by the American space shuttle Endeavour. On February 6, 65438, Unity docked with Dawn.

Star service module (zvezda (star))

Built by Russia, the interstellar service module is the core module of the International Space Station. The star is 13 meters long and 30 meters wide, weighs 19 tons, and costs $320 million.

The service cabin consists of three sealed cabins: the transition cabin, the living cabin and the working cabin, and there is also a non-sealed cabin for placing fuel barrels, engines and communication antennas. There are separate rooms in the living quarters for astronauts to bathe and sleep. There is a kitchen with a refrigerator, a dining table and sports equipment for astronauts to exercise. There is a 14 porthole in the cabin for astronauts to overlook the vast starry sky.

Star is equipped with positioning and TV contact system, which can ensure that the service module can directly contact the ground flight control centers in korolev, Russia and Houston, USA.

Star has four docking ports, which can be used to receive manned spacecraft or cargo spacecraft.

On July 12, 2000, this star was sent into space by a proton-k rocket. On the 26th, the Star Service Module docked with the International Space Station Consortium.

Destiny laboratory module

On February 7th, 20001year, the Destiny experimental module was launched with the American space shuttle Atlantis. The Destiny experimental module is worth $654.38+400 million, and it is the most expensive component in the International Space Station. It is made by Boeing Company of America. It looks like a cylinder, 9.3 meters long and 4.3 meters in diameter. Weight 13.6 tons, with 4 15000 parts. It is not only the base for future space station members to carry out scientific research tasks in near-zero gravity, but also the command and control center of the International Space Station, and one of the most important experimental cabins in the six laboratories of the International Space Station.

Leonardo multifunctional logistics module.

Leonardo, a multifunctional logistics module, was developed by Italy, with a value of $6543.8+600 million. It is a cylinder made of metal aluminum, with a length of 2 1 foot (about 6.4 meters) and a diameter of 15 feet (about 4.6 meters). It is divided into 16 containers, which can carry 9. 1 ton of goods. The logistics module can be reused, and its function is to transport necessary materials for the International Space Station, and then bring the waste on the space station back to the ground.

Air lock (air lock)

The air barrier cabin, also known as the pressure cabin, is made of aluminum, weighs about 6 tons and costs $654.38+$64 billion. The air barrier cabin has two cabins, one for astronauts to change their spacesuits before performing spacewalk missions, and the other for astronauts to decompress and float into space. There are four gas tanks in the cabin, each weighing 540 kilograms, which are used to pressurize the air barrier cabin.

On 2001July 15, the air barrier cabin was installed on the space station by the astronauts of the American space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station. The air cabin is the passage between the International Space Station and space, and the buffer zone between the pressurized space of spacecraft and the vacuum environment of space. Its installation enables astronauts in the space station to walk in space without waiting for the arrival of the space shuttle.

Canadian second army (Canadarm2)

Canada's second arm, also known as the big arm, is made of high-strength metal aluminum, stainless steel and epoxy graphite. Length 19 meter, weight 1.63 ton.

The design concept of this giant manipulator, which is about 17 meters long, came into being in 1984 when former US President Ronald Reagan proposed to build a free space station. Its original development purpose is to pull the space shuttle to the space station by mechanical arm when it can't dock with the space station by itself. Canada's second arm was developed by Canada. It was launched by the American space shuttle Endeavour on April 19, 2006 and installed on the International Space Station on the 22nd. It is not only longer than the small-sized robot arm that performs tasks with the space shuttle many times, but also stronger and more flexible than the small-sized robot arm that performs tasks with the space shuttle many times.

Dock multifunctional docking module.

The multifunctional docking module of the wharf was developed by Russian Energy Rocket Space Company, weighing about 4 tons and having a volume of 13 cubic meter. One end of the docking module is connected with the star service module, and the docking device at the other end can be docked with the progressive series cargo spacecraft and the alliance series manned spacecraft. There is also a compartment on one side of the docking module. When the astronauts put on their spacesuits and adjust the air pressure in the cabin, they can open the hatch and walk in space. The multifunctional docking module is helpful to increase the transportation of goods and people between the International Space Station and the ground.

Dock multi-function docking module was installed on the International Space Station on September 6th+7th, 2006.

Dawn small experimental module

The small experimental module of Russian Dawn was transported to the International Space Station by the space shuttle Atlantis on May 20 10. Dawn experimental module is about 7 meters long and weighs about 7.8 tons, which is mainly used for scientific experiments. The whole space station consists of many components: the launch time of the component range launch vehicle

diameter

quality

(kg) Dawning functional cargo hold 1 AR ProtonNo. 1 998165438+1October 20th12.564.1(refueling)/kloc-0. 2A-STS-88 Endeavour1998 654812 July 200013.14.1519, 050 International Space Station Z 1 Truss 3A-STS-92 Discovery June 20001April 4, 978 P6 International Space Station Outboard Bracket and Solar Panel 4A-STS-97 Endeavour 20001April/September 6/. Kloc-0/.796 Discovery airlock (combined airlock) 7A-STS- 104 Atlantis 2001July1February 5.66 064 Dock -4r Dock -Progress -M-SO 1 Progress No.2000 Kloc-0/-STS- 1 14 Discovery No.4.002.4 July 26, 2005 P4 P3 Unknown truss and solar panel of the International Space Station12A-STS-15 Atlantis September 9, 2006/Kloc. 5, 824 International Space 8 18 External Loading Platform 3 (ESP-3)13A.1-STS-18 Endeavour, August 8, 2007 4.9 3.65 3400 Harmony Node Module (No.2 20 Atlantis 65438+1October 23rd, 2007 7.2 4.4 654333 560 Japanese experimental module1j-STS-124th Discovery 31May 20081/kloc-. 4,787 Hope Japan Experimental Module-Japanese Manipulator 1J-STS- 124 Discovery No.3 May 20081Day 65438 March 20091513.844.97/KLOC-. 089 Hope Japan Experimental Module-Exposure Experimental Platform 2J/A-STS- 127 Endeavour July 200915.004,082 Mini Research Module 2 (Discovery Mini Research Module) 5R-Progress -M-MIM2 Progress Number 2009165438

5075 Leonardo's permanent replenishment module ULF5-STS- 133 Discovery No.2011February 24th 6.4 4.6 (at launch)12,816 (empty) 9896 was successfully assembled, and the International Space Station (ISS) was successfully assembled.

In terms of earth observation, the International Space Station is superior to remote sensing satellites. First of all, there are people involved in the remote sensing mission, so when there is an earthquake, tsunami or volcanic eruption on the earth, astronauts on the space station can adjust various parameters of the remote sensor in time to obtain the best observation effect; When the remote sensor and other instruments and equipment fail, they can be repaired to normal working condition at any time; Remote sensing instruments and equipment can also be replaced by space shuttle or spacecraft, so that new technologies can be applied in time and funds can be saved. Using it to monitor the quality of the earth's atmosphere can predict climate change for a long time. It will also benefit from the development of land resources and the utilization of marine resources. The International Space Station is much superior to other spacecraft in astronomical observation, and it is an important means to understand the position, distribution, motion structure, physical state, chemical composition and evolution law of cosmic celestial bodies. Due to the participation of personnel in observation, the space station's position and multidirectional activities in space, and the mobile observation and determination methods, the functions of instruments and equipment can be fully exerted. Through the International Space Station, astronomers can not only obtain important information such as cosmic rays, subatomic particles, and understand the mysteries of the universe, but also respond quickly to astronomical events (such as solar flares, dark stripes, etc.) that affect the earth's environment and protect the spacecraft and its members flying in space in time.

Life science research on the International Space Station can be divided into two aspects: human life and gravity biology. The research results of human life science can directly promote the development of space medicine. For example, judging the influence of gravity on astronauts' bodies through various parameters can improve the research level of human brain, nerves, bones and muscles. The research and application of gravity biology and materials science have broad prospects. The microgravity conditions of the International Space Station are much superior to those of the Mir Space Station and the Space Shuttle, especially in the development of materials.

As far as the special factor of space microgravity is concerned, the International Space Station can provide superior conditions for studying life science, biotechnology, space medicine, materials science, fluid physics, combustion science, etc., which are much better than those on earth, and even cannot be provided on earth, which directly promotes the progress of these sciences. At the same time, the completion and application of the International Space Station is a step closer to the long-term goal of manned spaceflight, such as building space factories, space power stations, conducting space tourism, establishing permanent residential areas (space castles) and emigrating to other planets in space. May 20 14, the International Space Station began the experiment of growing vegetables. If successful, NASA may make history, because astronauts have never eaten vegetables grown in their own space.

At present, the diet problem of astronauts on the space station has been well solved, but it still needs to be supplemented by launching spacecraft on the ground. Russian cargo ships regularly deliver materials to the space station. If the cargo ship fails to enter the orbit, the astronauts will have a tight diet. Now, astronauts try to grow their own vegetables on the space station and even develop homemade space salads.

At present, the vegetables planted by astronauts include tomatoes and strawberries. But they will also expand the scope of planting and can grow all kinds of fruits and vegetables. The reason why they want to grow vegetables on the space station is because it can solve their own diet problems, and at the same time, they can study the method of growing vegetables in space. This may not be a simple scientific research product, but it needs to be digested by themselves after planting. However, there are many problems in growing fruits and vegetables in microgravity. For example, space radiation can cause vegetable variation, and planted vegetables may cause microbial variation, which is harmful to human body.

Through previous vegetable experiments on the space station, NASA banned its astronauts from eating lettuce. The fruits and vegetables returned from the space station show inedible characteristics to varying degrees, and the most important thing is the problem of space radiation. Microgravity environment makes fruits and vegetables grow on different ground. But by the end of this year, scientists began to test the fruits and vegetables of the new space station. At present, astronauts have begun to grow vegetables.

Astronauts' immunity will decline in space, and they need vegetables to supplement their nutrition. If they are not fresh, it is impossible to have a similar effect. Planting vegetables will also increase the carbon dioxide level of the space station, which can help the air purifier filter the odor on the space station. If you start planting now, you may have to wait for several years before the lettuce experiment is completely successful and made into a salad. This experiment can also help to land on Mars in the future. 20 14 On June 7th, NASA released a photo of the International Space Station, in which two American astronauts and a German astronaut watched the World Cup in Brazil through notebooks. The United States and Germany will meet in the group stage.

The World Cup in Brazil is in full swing, and fans all over the world are paying attention to this quadrennial football event. In fact, in the space 250 miles above the ground, astronauts are also paying attention to the World Cup, and three "fans from the stars" also watched the live broadcast of the game on the International Space Station. NASA took a photo on social network, in which three astronauts watched the World Cup live broadcast for 10 minutes. However, there is a little embarrassment between these three fans. They come from Germany and the United States, and the two teams are in the same group and will compete for the group.