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EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station Rack 3 - Active Rack Isolation System (EXPRESS_Rack_3A)
05.15.09
Scientists and payload developers can get more information on International Space Station research facilities by contacting the ISS Payloads Office or at 281-244-6187.

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Facility/Payload Overview

Brief Facility Summary

EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station Rack 3 ? Active Rack Isolation System (EXPRESS Rack-3A) is a modified EXPRESS Rack (ER) that house experiments aboard the International Space Station. The ARIS component of the ER reduces external vibration disturbances at selected experiment locations inside the ER, allowing the payloads to operate in an environment of greatly reduced vibrational disturbances.

Facility Manager(s)

  • Annette Sledd, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL

    • Co-Facility Manager(s)

    Information Pending

    Facility Developer

    Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL and Boeing, Huntsville, AL

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Facility/Payload Description

    Facility Summary

    • The EXPRESS Rack - ARIS provides simple standard interfaces to accommodate up to 10 small payloads and acts as a buffer between experiments on ISS that are sensitive to vibrations.


    • The ARIS system acts as a shock absorber on the EXPRESS Rack for delicate science experiments that could be damaged by normal disturbances of the ISS.

    Description

    International Space Station provides an orbital laboratory for conducting science experiments with minimal interference from the force of gravity. This research has the potential to impact the lives of people on Earth, as well as space explorers traveling far from Earth. By housing, supporting and transporting these experiments, the EXPRESS Rack 3A could play a key role in the development of better medicines, more powerful computer chips or lighter metals. Similarly, by reducing the time, complexity and expense historically associated with orbital research, the EXPRESS Rack 3A system helps universities and industry achieve these advances more quickly and for less money.

    The microgravity environment of the International Space Station experiences tiny vibrations. These vibrations can be caused by crew exercise, on-board pumps and motors and additional everyday activities, which can upset sensitive science experiments. The Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) acts as a vibration absorber to help isolate and attenuate the disturbance. The EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to the Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack, is a standardized payload rack system that transports, stores and supports experiments aboard the International Space Station. When the ARIS system is installed on an EXPRESS Rack it attenuates vibratory disturbances at the rack level to support on orbit requirements for a microgravity environment. Attenuation is achieved by imparting reactive forces between the rack and module in response to sensed vibratory accelerations, thereby reducing disturbances to user payloads within the rack.

    EXPRESS Rack 3A was launched to ISS during Expedition 5 on flight UF-2 in June 2002 and was partially installed on ISS during Expedition 6. The EMCS facility was installed in EXPRESS Rack 3A during Expedition 13. On March 21, 2008, during Expedition 16, EXPRESS Rack 3A was relocated to the Columbus module.

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    Operations

    Facility Operations

    The EXPRESS Rack was developed to provide ISS accommodations for small subrack payloads. The EXPRESS Rack accepts Space Shuttle middeck locker-type payloads and International Subrack Interface Standard (ISIS) drawer payloads, allowing previously flown payloads an opportunity to transition to the ISS. The EXPRESS Rack provides power, data, command and control, video, water cooling, air cooling, vacuum exhaust, and nitrogen supply to payloads.

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Availability

  • On-Board ISS

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    Related Web Sites

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications

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        Images

        imageNASA Image: ISS009E05447 - Front view of EXPRESS Rack 3 in the Destiny U.S. Laboratory taken during Expedition 9. The rack is composed of storage lockers.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS015E34435 - EXPRESS Rack 3 Aris with the European Module Cultivation Sysem installed. Image taken during ISS Expedition 15.
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        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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