Bremen, 16 October 2001
With its delivery of the MSG (Microgravity Science Glovebox), a multifunctional research facility commissioned by the European Space Agency ESA, Astrium sets an important milestone for research aboard the International Space Station. On Tuesday, ESA Director Dr. Karl Knott gave the green light to Astrium in Bremen to deliver to NASA the first European research platform designated for ISS. "The delivery of this research facility for the ISS underscores the significance and competence of Europe within the biggest technology project ever realised in global cooperation, emphasised Knott. Mike Fawcett, NASA representative for the International Space Station programme Europe, assessed today's step as "another milestone of the proven cooperation between the USA and Europe in space".
Dr. Stefan Graul, Director of Orbital Systems and Operations at Astrium Space Infrastructure said that "with its fulfilment of the ESA contract, Astrium has once again proven its exceptional level of competence as a system partner for the development, production and operation of space research systems". The MSG will for the first time provide future customers with access to a versatile experiment platform that fulfils requirements in a number of research disciplines. With 260 litres of usable space, the MSG is about four times larger than any of its predecessors. Its hermetically sealed work area for the first time permits video-monitored experiments even with critical substances. The glovebox offers users a diverse range of innovative alternatives in its utilisation, from manual control by scientist astronauts via laptop computers to fully automatic operation, through to remote control from Earth ("telescience"), whereby a permanent data exchange link with ground stations is ensured at all times.
Future research using the MSG will be centred around experiments in materials science. The facility will be used to explore new methods for manufacturing lightweight materials from metal foams, as well as new alloys and high-performance semiconductors. Further research in diffusion analysis will aim at optimising crude oil exploration, or emulsion processes for wideband applications in the paint and coating industry, cosmetics manufacturing, and lubricant production.
The first step will now be to bring MSG to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where engineers from Astrium's Space Infrastructure Business Unit will be on hand to assist the platform's subsequent integration into the Space Shuttle. The glovebox is scheduled for launch to the ISS aboard the Shuttle in early summer 2002. As part of the ground team, the Astrium engineers will be then be tasked with initial operational start-up, as well as being responsible for maintenance and continued operation of the MSG during the coming ten years.
Astrium is a joint company of EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, and BAe Systems.
Bremen, 16 October 2001
Contact:
Mathias Spude
Astrium Space Infrastructure
Phone: 0421-539-5710 /Fax: 0421-539-4534
Siegfried Monser
Astrium Space Infrastructure
Phone: 0421-539-5815 /Fax: 0421-539-4534
