ISS node 3

Node 3 is an element scheduled to be added to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2009. Node 3 will contain the most advanced life support systems ever flown in space. These systems will recycle waste water for crew use and generate oxygen for the crew to breathe. In addition, Node 3 will contain an atmosphere revitalization system to remove contaminants from the atmosphere and monitor/control the atmosphere constituents of the ISS. Node 3 will also contain a Waste and Hygiene Compartment (toilet) for supporting the on-board crew.

Node 3 is also designed to provide six berthing locations with power, data and commanding, thermal and environmental control, and crew access for more attached habitable volumes or for crew transportation vehicles or stowage, or an appropriate combination of all of these.

Node 3 will also have "Cupola" attached to it with a Robotic Work Station inside it to assist in the assembly/maintenance of the ISS as well as offer a window for earth observations. Node 3 will be launched with the Cupola attached to the nadir, or earthward facing port. After mating Node 3 with the nadir port of Unity, the Cupola will be moved to the front port of Node 3, and the PMA-3 will replace it on the nadir port. Node 3 will have redundant ports that should normally be empty, but which could be used for the MPLM to be berthed. The Orion spacecraft (or the Space Shuttle if still in operation) can dock with PMA-3 if needed.

Alternative Node 3 Design

In 2001, NASA [http://www.nasawatch.com/iss/02.23.2001.iss.schedule.pdf considered] changing the Node 3 design.The extended or "stretched" Node 3 planning was a result of the deferral/deletion of the Habitation module.The stretched Node 3 would have held 16 racks compared with the baseline capacity of 8 racks.

Current status

As of|2008|01|16, Node 3 was located in the clean room at the Thales Alenia Space Turin site. [cite web | url = http://www.skycontrol.net/aerospace/space-shuttle-astronauts-visit-thales-alenia-space-in-turin/ | title = Space Shuttle astronauts visit Thales Alenia Space in Turin | publisher = Skycontrol] The Space Shuttle launch manifest released in April 2007 has the second-to-last Shuttle flight (STS-132) carrying Node 3 and the Cupola to orbit in early 2010. ESA information indicates that Node 3 will even be advanced in the assembly schedule and will be launched in October of 2009 after being delivered to NASA in February of 2009.

The Launch Manifest released in July 2008 has the launch of Node 3 scheduled for December 10, 2009 onboard the STS-130 mission which will be flown by Endeavour. [ [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html NASA - Consolidated Launch Manifest ] ]

References