Flores, Ginger N.

Jordan, Lee P.

Thompson, Sean W.

NASA Technical Reports Server

www.nasa.gov
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
SCIENCE & MISSION SYSTEMS
Sean W. Thompson
EXPRESS Rack Project Manager
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Sean.thompson@nasa.gov
Lee P. Jordan
MSG Project Manager
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Lee.p.jordan@nasa.gov
An Overview of EXPRESS Rack, 
Microgravity Science Glovebox, and 
Sub-rack  Facilities for Materials 
Science Research
Materials LAB Workshop
April 15, 2014
Ginger N. Flores, 
MSFC ISS Payloads Office
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Ginger.n.flores@nasa.gov
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20140010107 2019-08-31T20:30:15+00:00Z
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
2
Outline
 Rack Facilities
 EXPRESS Overview
 Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Overview
 Sub-rack facilities
 CSLM, SUBSA, and PFMI Overview
12/20/2007
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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EXPRESS Rack
 EXpedite the PRocessing of 
Experiments to Space Station 
(EXPRESS) Rack is a multi-use facility 
which provides standard interfaces and 
resources for 8 locker-type and 2 drawer-
type payloads
 Payload Interfaces
 Power: 28 Vdc
 Data: Ethernet, RS-422, Analog, 
Discrete
 Video: NTSC
 Cooling: Air (all locations) and Water (2 
locations per rack) 
 Vacuum Exhaust (1 location per rack)
 Nitrogen Supply (1 location per rack)
EXPRESS Rack 1, 7/9/13
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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EXPRESS Rack Front View
Upper 
Connector 
Panel
Lower 
Connector 
Panel
Utility Interface 
Panel
ISIS Drawers (2)
Lockers 
(8 locations)
L1
L2
L4
L3
L5
L6
L7
L8
ISIS01 ISIS02
Utility Drawer
EXPRESS 
Laptop 
Computer 
(ELC) International Standard Payload Rack
Secondary Structure 
& Subsystems
8/2 Payload 
Configuration
(8 Middeck Lockers,
2 ISIS Drawers)
EXPRESS 8/2 Configuration
Payload configuration options:
• Insert into a NASA-provided 
ISS Locker
• Integrate into an 
International Subrack
Interface Standard (ISIS) 
Drawer 
• Design single unit to replace 
1, 2, or 4 lockers.
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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Rear View
EXPRESS Subsystems
 RIC:  Rack Interface Controller
 Provides command and control of 
rack subsystems and payloads and 
interfaces with the ISS Payload MDM.
 Collects health and status from rack 
subsystems and payloads.
 SSPCM:  Solid State Power Control 
Module
 Receives ISS main power and 
provides power to rack subsystems 
and payloads.
 Provides discrete and analog I/O to 
payloads and rack subsystems.
 AAA:  Avionics Air Assembly
 Provides air cooling to payloads and 
exchanges heat with the Moderate 
Temperature Loop.
 Circulates air for smoke detection
RIC
SSPCM
AAA
Smoke 
Detector
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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ELC:  EXPRESS Laptop Computer
 Dedicated to EXPRESS rack 
operations
 Crew can view rack displays
 Crew can command rack and 
payloads
 Payload can have applications 
installed
 Lenovo T61p
 Windows XP SP2 operating system
 Upgrade to Windows 7 within 2 
years
EXPRESS Subsystems
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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EXPRESS Rack 4 (Inc 35)
 DEvice for the study of Critical LIquids
and Crystallization (DECLIC)
 Multi-user facility utilized to study 
transparent media and their phase 
transitions in microgravity.
 http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/exper
iments/203.html
 NanoRacks Platform 1
 NanoRacks Platforms provide power and 
data transfer capabilities for NanoRacks
Modules, which function as experiment 
platforms for a wide range of disciplines.
 http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/exper
iments/829.html
 ELaboratore Immagini TElevisive - Space 
2 (ELITE-S2)
 Investigates the connection between 
brain, visualization and motion in the 
absence of gravity. 
 http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/exper
iments/78.html
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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EXPRESS Payload Resources
Resource Amount per Payload Position
Structural
Attachment
Power
Thermal Control
Air
Thermal Control
Water
Data
Video
Venting
Nitrogen
Locker ISIS Drawer
Attachment to Rack per IDD
•Mass constraint launch vehicle dependent
5, 10, 15, or 20 Amp at 28 VDC
Nominal 150 W (1200 W rack maximum)
500 W Heat Rejection per position 
(2 positions per rack)
•1 - RS-422
•1 - Ethernet
•2 - +/- 5 Vdc Analog
•3 - 5 Vdc Discrete (bi-dir)
NTSC/RS 170A feed from payload 
source (Shared)
1 payload interface per rack (Shared)
1 payload interface per rack 
(Shared, 12 lbm/hr)
Attachment to Rack per ISIS Spec
•64 lb within cg constraints
Nominal 150 W (1200 W rack maximum)
1 payload interface per rack (Shared)
5, 10, 15, or 20 Amp at 28 VDC
•1 - RS- 422
•1 - Ethernet
•1 - +/- 5 Vdc Analog
•2 - 5 Vdc Discrete (bi-dir)
NTSC/RS 170A feed from payload
source (Shared)
500 W Heat Rejection per position 
(2 positions per rack)
1 payload interface per rack
(Shared, 12 lbm/hr)
Reference: EXPRESS Rack Payloads Interface Definition Document, SSP 52000-IDD-ERP
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
99
Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG)
• MSG facility provides an enclosed working area for investigation manipulation and 
observation in the ISS.  Provides two levels of containment via physical barrier, 
negative pressure, and air filtration .
• The MSG facility is ideally suited to provide quick, relatively inexpensive access to 
space for Physical Science, Life Science, and Biological Science Investigations.
• The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) is a 
double rack facility designed for microgravity 
investigation handling aboard the International 
Space Station (ISS).
• The unique design of the facility allows it to 
accommodate science and technology 
investigations in a “workbench” type environment
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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MSG Facility Hardware Overview
Engineering Unit Located at MSFC
Removable Side Ports
16” diameter on both Left and 
Right sides for setting up 
hardware in Work Volume
Glove Ports 
Four identical glove ports 
are located on the left and 
right side loading ports and 
the front window
DC Power Switching
And Circuit Breakers
Video System Drawer
Stowage Drawers
Front Window Glove Ports
Four  6” diameter glove ports can be fitted 
with any of three different sized gloves or 
blanks
Airlock
Provides a “Pass Through” for hardware to enter 
the Work Volume without breaking Containment. 
The lid of the Air Lock opens up into the floor of 
the Work Volume
Airlock Glove Port with Blank
A Single 4” diameter glove port can also be 
fitted with any of three different sized gloves or 
a blank
Stowage Drawers
Core Facility
Retractable Core Facility includes the Work 
Volume, Airlock, Power Distribution & 
Switching Box, and the Command and 
Monitoring Panel
10
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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• Work Volume(WV) - Volume 
– 0.255 m3 = 255 liters 
• Work Volume - Dimensions 
– 906mm wide x 637mm high 
– 500mm deep (at the floor)
– 385mm deep (at the top) 
• Maximum size of single piece of equipment in WV 
(via side access ports) 
– 406mm diameter
• Payload Attachment
– M6 threaded fasteners in floor, ceiling, & 
sides
• Power available to investigation 
– +28V DC at useable 7 amps
– +12V DC at useable 2 amps
– -12V DC at useable 2 amps
– +5V DC at useable 4 amps
– +120V DC at useable 8.3 amps
• Maximum heat dissipation 
– 1000W Total
• 800W from coldplate
• 200W from air flow
• General illumination 
– 1000 lux @ 200mm above WV floor 
• Video 
– 4 color Hitachi HV-C20 cameras
– 2 Sony DSRV10 Digital Recorders 
– 2 Sony GV-A500 Analog 8mm Recorders
• Data handling connections 
– Two RS422-to-MSG for investigations
– One MIL-BUS-1553B-to-MSG for communication via MLC
– Ethernet LAN 1 and LAN 2 (in US LAB)
– MSG Laptop Computer (MLC) – IBM T61P
• Filtration 
– 12 HEPA/charcoal/catalyst WV filters
• 1 HEPA/charcoal/catalyst Airlock filter 
• Up to Two Levels of Containment
– Physical barrier of MSG structures, gloves, etc.
– Negative pressure generated by MSG fans.
• Other resources available 
– Gaseous Nitrogen
– Vacuum (VRS & VES) 
Current MSG-Provided Payload Interfaces/Resources
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
1212
MSG Investigations
Payload Name & Acronym
Sponsoring 
Organization Type of Investigation
 Combustion Synthesis under Microgravity Conditions (COSMIC) ESA Combustion
Microgravity Experiment for the Measurement of Diffusion Coefficients in Crude Oil (DCCO) ESA Diffusion
NANOSLAB ESA  Zeolite Crystal Growth
 Protein Microscope for the International Space Station (PromISS-1,2,3, & 4) ESA Protein Crystal Growth
ARGES ESA Light Bulb Technology
HEAT ESA Heat Pipe Technology
Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument (SODI) ESA Diffusion and Soret Phenomena 
Cell Wall/Resist Wall (CWRW) JAXA Plant Growth
Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures-2  (CSLM-2) NASA Material Science
Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE-1,2, & NASA Magnetorheological (MR) Fluids
IntraVenous Fluids GENeration and mixing (IV-Gen) NASA Human Health
Smoke Aerosol Measurement Experiment (SAME) NASA Spacecraft Smoke Detection
 Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment (SHERE) NASA Polymer
 Smoke Point Coflow Experiment (SPICE) NASA Combustion
Critical Velocities in Open Capillary Channels (CCF) NASA Fluids
Structure and Liftoff in Combustion Experiment (SLICE) NASA Combustion
 Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS) NASA Combustion
Boiling eXperiment Facility (BXF) NASA Heat Transfer
Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) NASA Material Science
Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) NASA Material Science
Rodent Research NASA Life Science
3D Printer NASA Technology Demonstration
Bioculture Systems NASA Life Science
Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS) NASA Material Science
Zero Boil-Off Tank (Z-BOT) NASA Heat Transfer
Packed Bed Reactor Experiment (PBRD) NASA Physical Science 
Transparent Alloys ESA Material Science
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA):
• One of the first materials science experiments on the International Space Station 
(Expedition Five); the first to operate within MSG.
• The SUBSA furnace offers control and visualization of melting and solidification of 
samples using a transparent furnace, video downlink, and real-time commanding. 
• Furnace - Max Temp: 850C; sample size: 30 cm long (12 mm dia); also offers an 8 cm 
long transparent gradient zone coupled with a Cohu 3812 camera and a quartz ampoule 
allows for observation and video recording of the solidification process. 
• Uses a gradient freeze process (minimum cool down rate of 0.5 C/min, and a stability of 
+/- 0.15°C)
• SUBSA includes a Process Control Module (PCM) which controls sample processing, and 
a Data Acquisition Pad (DaqPad) which provides signal conditioning of thermocouple data.  
• The SUBSA furnace has processed eight indium antimonide (InSb) samples in the MSG  
DaqPad
PCM
ampoule
Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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DaqPad
PCM
Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI):
• The first observation of sustained dendritic growth in a microgravity environment.
• PFMI shares control module, data acquisition, and cameras with SUBSA.
• PFMI is a Bridgman type furnace, with a maximum temperature of 130°C and can 
accommodate a sample 23 cm long and 10 mm in diameter. Two Cohu 3812 cameras 
mounted 90° apart move on a separate translation system that allows for viewing of the 
sample in the transparent hot zone and gradient zone independent of the furnace translation 
rate and direction. Translation rates for both the cameras and furnace can be specified from 
0.5 micrometers/sec to 100 micrometers/sec with a stability of +/-5%. 
• Designed to study bubbles that can become trapped in metal alloys used to produce jet 
engine turbine blades and semiconductor crystals for electronic devices. 
• Scientists on the ground can watch via video downlink as bubbles form, move and interact in 
the samples before they cool down and re-solidify.
• Commands from the ground change temperatures, growth rate, and other variables that 
affect processing. Most importantly bubble size, numbers, and movement can be measured. 
Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) 
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures (CSLM):
Objectives:  1) Produce coarsening data, and 2) Investigate the factors controlling the 
morphology of solid-liquid mixtures during coarsening.  Has operated on shuttle & ISS.
• Vacuum System - To achieve the required level of isothermality, a vacuum level of 0.2 Torr 
is required. The vacuum is achieved by attaching the Vacuum Exhaust System (VES) to 
the Sample Processing Unit (SPU.
• Heating System - Two disc resistance heaters and one ring resistance heater are utilized to 
evenly heat the samples to the desired 185°C. Four RTDs are installed in the Sample 
Holder to accurately measure the temp of the samples. 
• Quench System - When water quench is required, the solenoid valve opens allowing air to 
pressurize the water in the reservoir. The reservoir burst disc opens and allows water flow 
through the spray nozzles and onto the Sample Holder clamping plates.
• ECU houses both the Power Distribution System and the Data Acquisition and Control 
System (STD-80 Bus Based).
• One Sample Processing Unit (SPU) contains 4 samples.
• One ECU can store data from as many as twelve SPUs. 
Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures (CSLM)
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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Summary
• These facilities on board ISS have been used for a large body of 
research in material science, heat transfer, crystal growth, life science, 
smoke detection and combustion research, plant growth, human 
health, and technology demonstration
• Process improvements and enhancements continue to improve the 
accommodations and make the integration and operations process 
more efficient. 
• MSG and EXPRESS are ideal platforms for gravity-dependent 
phenomena related research.  Moreover, ISS provides engineers and 
scientists a platform for research in an environment similar to the one 
that spacecraft and crew members will actually experience during 
space travel and exploration.
• The successful on-orbit operations and versatility of the EXPRESS 
Racks and MSG has facilitated the operations of many scientific areas, 
with the promise of continued payload support for years to come.  
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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BACK UP
12/20/2007
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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EXPRESS ISS Locker Details
Payloads can either be locker “inserts” or 
locker “replacements”
Features
 4 rear captive fastener 
attachments
 Installation tool guides on 4 
corners
 Friction hinge
 Dual door locks
 3 removable panels on door
 Rear internal closeout 
removed for active payloads
 Internal dimensions (ref)
 Width 17.340 in.
 Height 9.970 in.
 Depth 20.320 in.
 Weight – 13 lbs. empty
 Internal Volume – 2 ft3
Conducting Research on the ISS using the EXPRESS Rack
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FRONT PANEL
HANDLE
LATCH
EXAUST FAN
OPENING
DATA CONNECTOR
RETENTION
SLIDE
ASSEMBLY
STOP MECHANISM
POWER CONNECTOR
ASSEMBLY REAR PANEL
Features
 Blind-mate connectors
 Locking handles
 Internal dimensions (ref)
15.94 x 5.88 x 23.23 in.
 Weight – 26 lbs empty
 Volume – 1.26 ft3
EXPRESS Powered Drawer
NASA provides a 
powered drawer for 
ground integration of 
powered payloads


An Overview of EXPRESS Rack, Microgravity Science Glovebox, and Sub-rack Facilities for Materials Science Research

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