External Stowage Platform
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An External Stowage Platform (ESP) is a component of the International Space Station (ISS). It is an external pallet that can hold spare parts or Orbital Replacement Units (ORU) for the space station. As a platform it is not pressurized, but does require electricity to power the heaters of some the stored equipment. The ORUs are attached to the ESP with Flight Releasable Attachment Mechanisms (FRAM).[1]
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[edit] ESP-1
The first of these External Stowage Platforms, called ESP-1, was installed on the hull of the Destiny Laboratory Module on March 13, 2001 during the second EVA of the STS-102 Space Shuttle mission.[2]. It is powered by the Unity Module and has two FRAMs to store ORUs.
[edit] ESP-2
ESP-2 was installed with the assistance of Space Shuttle Discovery's robotic arm and two spacewalkers on STS-114.[3] It is much larger then ESP-1 with 8 FRAMs creating room for up to eight spare parts or ORUs. Like ESP-1 it is attached to the Destiny and powered by the Unity Module. However unlike ESP-1, the ESP-2 is attached to the Quest Airlock trough a so called ESP Attachment Device (ESPAD). Currently installed ORUs on ESP-2 are:
- Flex Hose Rotary Coupler
- Main Bus Switching Unit
- Utility Transfer Assembly
- Video Stanchion Assembly
- Battery Charge/Discharge Unit (BCDU)
- Pump Module Assembly (PMA)
- SPACEHAB/Oceaneering Space Systems - Extended Deployable
[edit] ESP-3
ESP-3 is scheduled to be installed during the Space Shuttle STS-118 mission.[4] It will be connected on top of the P3 truss segment. [5]
[edit] References
- ^ Boeing ESP-2 information
- ^ STS-102, Mission Control Center Status Report # 11 Tuesday, March 13, 2001 7:30 a.m. CST
- ^ NASA ISS Assembly
- ^ Nasa's onsolidated Launch Manifest for ISS Assembly
- ^ | Nasa's ISS assembly information
[edit] External links
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