Columbus – External Payload Facility

The ''Columbus'' External Payload Facility (Columbus-EPF) is a component of the ''Columbus'' module on the International Space Station. It consists of two identical L-shaped consoles attached to the starboard cone of ''Columbus'' in the zenith (top) and nadir (bottom) positions, each supporting two platforms for external payloads or payload facilities. Four external payloads (payload facilities) can be operated at the same time.

History

Columbus-EPF was transported to the International Space Station (ISS) with the ''Columbus'' module on STS-122/1E in February 2008. Columbus-EPF payloads and payload facilities are transported to and from orbit using a carrier supplied by the ISS Program. The payloads and payload facilities are manoeuvred by the robotic manipulators of the ISS to their final operational locations on the Columbus-EPF. Each payload or payload facility has an open view to ram and to starboard, as well as one to either zenith or nadir. The view in the wake direction is reduced by ISS structures. At the end of its operational phase, a payload is transported to the carrier by robotic means and returned to ground for post-mission inspection and analysis and, possibly, refurbishment.

The first Columbus-EPF payload facilities were the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) and Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus (Solar), which were installed during an extravehicular activity (EVA) by crew members of the STS 122 mission .

Functions

In addition to structural support, ''Columbus'' can supply power and data (command) to the Columbus-EPF payloads and can poll the payloads for housekeeping (health and status) and user data. The power and data interfaces available to the Columbus-EPF payloads are directly connected to the ''Columbus'' internal distribution systems. Columbus-EPF payloads and payload facilities are controlled and commanded via ''Columbus'' using the same data links and ground segment infrastructure used for internal payloads. Each payload has a facility-responsible centre that can transmit commands and receive telemetry via the Columbus Control Centre. ''Columbus'' provides a maximum of 1.25 kW per Columbus-EPF location. Each Columbus-EPF location is connected to two 120-Vdc power feeders, each of which has a maximum allocation of 1.25 kW. Switching between the power feeders is done via the payload power switch box in ''Columbus'' and requires the power feeders to be powered down.

The maximum on-orbit mass of an external Columbus-EPF payload, including the adapter plate, is 290 kg. The dimensions of a payload should not exceed 864 x 1168 x 1245 mm without the adapter plate. Columbus - External Payload Facility (Columbus-EPF)

''Bartolomeo''

The ''Bartolomeo'' platform was robotically removed from SpaceX CRS-20's trunk and installed on the external forward side of ''Columbus'' module in April 2020, attached to the trunnions that held Columbus in the payload bay of Space Shuttle ''Atlantis'' on its 2008 launch. An EVA for ISS astronauts to connect power and communications cables and to install a new Ka-band antenna was carried out on January 27, 2021. Due to issues with the installation of ''Bartolomeo'', only four out of the six cables could be installed. The platform is "partially operational and in a safe configuration" according to NASA; the final two cables will be installed on a future spacewalk. ESA is emphasizing its usefulness for commercial entities, academic institutions, and other lower-budget customers.

Airbus spent about €40 million to develop the ''Bartolomeo'' platform, according to DLR, the German space agency. DLR says accommodations on ''Bartolomeo'' will be priced from €300,000 to €3.5 million per year. Data from attached experiments will be routed to the ground through the space station's telemetry system, then go into cloud storage, where scientists can access the information with a smartphone. Payload owners can also send commands to their experiments through a smartphone. A German-made laser communications terminal will be added to ''Bartolomeo'' in 2021, allowing faster data links between experiments and their operators on the ground. Airbus is also partnering with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs to solicit ideas for ''Bartolomeo'' payloads from around the world. Developing countries in particular are encouraged to participate.

External experiments on ''Columbus''

Payloads are installed onto ''Columbus'' using Flight Releasable Attachment Mechanisms or FRAMs for short. There are four FRAMs on Columbus; each is currently holding an external payload.

Current

* FRAM 1 (top side): Empty, awaiting Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space
* FRAM 2 (side top pylon): Empty, awaiting EXPORT
* FRAM 3 (side bottom pylon): Atmosphere-Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM)
* FRAM 4 (bottom side): STP-H7

Deorbited

* LWAPA/MISSE 6
* EuTEF
* ISS-RapidScat
* SOLAR
* Space Debris Sensor (SDS)
* High Definition Earth Viewing cameras (HDEV)

Awaiting launch

* Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space
* EXPORT
* GEROS

Related publications

* Persson J, Dettmann J. Columbus External Payload Facility - Architecture and Utilisation. Conference and Exhibit on International Space Station Utilization, Cape Canaveral, FL. Oct 15 - 18, ;AIAA-2001-5068. 2001

See also

* Scientific research on the ISS

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Columbus - External Payload Facility
Science facilities on the International Space Station
Columbus (ISS module)