Fact Sheet
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Facility/Payload OverviewBrief Facility Summary
The European Transportation Carrier (ETC) will provide on-orbit stowage for payload items and support of additional European facilities. After the first use of the rack, it will be used primarily as a transport rack in conjunction with the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM).
Facility Manager(s)Information Pending
Facility DeveloperOHM Systems, Bremen, Germany
Sponsoring AgencyEuropean Space Agency (ESA)
Expeditions Assigned|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|
Previous ISS MissionsInformation Pending
Facility/Payload Description
Facility Summary
- Initially, the European Transportion Facility (ETC) will provide stowage for additional ESA payload facilities on the International Space Station (ISS).
- The primary objective of ETC will be to carry payload items to and from the ISS onboard the Space Shuttle or the Automated Transfer Vehicle.
The European Transportion Carrier will stow and transport various kinds of payload items such as commissioning items, science instruments, consumables, orbital support equipment, orbital replaceable units, resupply items and science items such as containers. This applies especially to European payload items that cannot be launched within their payload facility racks due to limited stowage and transport capabilities. In orbit, the ETC will serve as a workbench and stowage facility to support experiments with Biolab, Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL), European Physiology Module (EPM) and European Drawer Rack (EDR).
After its first utilization phase in Columbus, ETC will be used as a transport rack within the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM). It will provide the capability for regular upload and download of all experiment and service items needed for continuous operation of the European payload facilities inside Columbus the module.
The ETC can carry up to 410 kg (881 lbs) of payload and experiment items, accommodated in standardized Cargo Transfer Bags (CTBs). They are compatible with the ISS standards for transport in MPLM and Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and the use onboard the ISS partner modules like Destiny, Kibo and Columbus.
The ETC is equipped with six rigged stowage containers in optimized sizes. There are two smaller containers of 6PU (1PU = Panel Unit = 44-45 mm height) for full and half-sized CTBs, and four 12 PU containers which can be filled with any combination of CTBs, up to triple size.
In addition, the ETC is equipped with Zero-Gravity Stowage Pockets, one on the bottom and two on the top. These pockets extend the stowage volume capacity up to 1000 liters instead of 800 liters in standard configuration but can be used and filled only in weightlessness.
Operations
Facility Operations
The ETC will be launched inside of the ESAs Columbus module as part of the STS-122/1E mission. During initial use of the ETC it will remain in the Columbus module serving as a workbench and stowage center. After the initial use, it will be loaded with items to be returned to Earth and then reused for other missions. It is designed to provide support for 15 missions.
Results/More Information
Information Pending
Availability
Related Web Sites
Publications
Results Publications
Related Publications
Images
The European Transportion Carrier shown here with stowage bags (white) are visible in the open cabinets. Image Courtesy of ESA.+ View Larger Image
Different sized Cargo Transport Bags that will be used in the ETC.+ View Larger Image
Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office