ISS Overview

Science and tech

The mission of the ISS is to advance ________ and ________ research.

Human knowledge

The mission of the ISS is to expand __________ ___________.

inspire and educate

The mission of the ISS is to __________ and ___________ the next generation

commercial

The mission of the ISS is to foster the ____________ development of space

LEO

The mission of the ISS is to demonstrate capabilities that will enable future exploration missions beyond ________.

United States

What country does NASA represent?

Russia

What country does RSA represent?

Canada

What country does CSA represent?

Japan

What country does JAXA represent?

Europe

What country(s) does ESA represent?

Dragon

What is the name of the cargo and crew visiting vehicle produced by SpaceX?

Starliner

What is the name of the crew visiting vehicle produced by Boeing?

Cygnus

What is the name of the cargo visiting vehicle produced by Northrup Grumman?

France and Italy

What countries produce the visiting vehicle, Thales Alenia Space (TAS)?

Nyx

What is the name of the cargo and crew visiting vehicle produced by The Exploration Co.?

CSA

Out of the main countries funding the ISS, which agency produces the robotics for the station rather than any one node?

NASA and RSA

The crew complement onboard the ISS is proportional to each international partner’s contribution to the ISS program. Thus, at any one time, there are usually 3 astronauts representing ______ and _______.

ESA or JAXA

The crew complement onboard the ISS is proportional to each international partner’s contribution to the ISS program. Thus, at any one time, there is usually 1 astronaut representing ______ OR _______.

7

While the expedition crew size has varied throughout the life of the ISS, the station is now able to support ________ crewmembers.

15

What is the largest crew size that was supported on the ISS?

US Laboratory

The _____________ is the module containing the NASA research laboratory. It contains 24 rack locations (13 of which are designated for payloads).

Rack

A fridge-sized unit that houses payloads such as those relating to power, thermal control, or commanding for payloads.

US Laboratory

Which module contains many distributed vehicle systems, providing life support, power, data, communication, and thermal control?

Truss

Serving as the backbone of the ISS. this module provides attachment points for solar arrays and radiators.

8

How many solar arrays are on the ISS?

Express Logistics Carriers

The 4 ELCs or ________ _________ ___________ on the truss provide attachment points for EXTERNAL payloads.

External Stowage Platforms

The 3 ESPs or ________ ___________ __________ on the truss provide stowage options for large ORUs.

On-orbit Replacement Unit

A spare part on the ISS is referred to as an ORU or a ______________ __________ __________.

PVGF

____________ are needle-like members on the ISS on which the robotic arm grabs.

Columbus Orbital Facility

Housing the ESA research laboratory, this module contains 16 rack locations (10 of which are designated for payloads).

Columbus Orbital Facility

This module notably contains a Fluid Science Lab and a Biolab that grows small plants and micro-organisms such as jalapeños, mustard sed, and basil.

Japanese Experiment Module

Built by JAXA, this module (abbreviated JEM) is a multi-component research module that contains the JPM, JEF, JLP, and JERMS.

JEM Pressurized Module

Part of the JEM, this module is abbreviated JPM.

JEM External Facility

Part of the JEM, this module is abbreviated JEF.

JLP

What is the abbreviation for the JEM Logistics Module Pressurized Section?

JERMS

The robotic arm within the JEM is abbreviated as ______.

Research

Abbreviated as JPM, the JEM Pressurized Module serves as the primary ____________ module for the Japanese.

JEF

This module within JEM provides attachment points for external payloads and contains a nanoracks cubesat deployer (payload cannon).

Russia

Abbreviated MRM-1, the Mini-Research Module is produced by which country?

MRM-1

What module provides a Soyuz or Progress Docking port?

MRM-1

Which module supports propellant transfer from Progress to ISS RS tanks?

Multipurpose

Serving as the primary Russian research lab, the _______ Laboratory Module provides an experiment airlock. Notably, this module also contains the second toilet (the Russian one) onboard the ISS.

Multipurpose Laboratory

In addition to MRM-1, the __________ Module also provides a Soyuz/Progress docking port.

ESA, RSA, and JAXA

Which space agencies own modules that offer attachment points for external payloads?

Core System

A ___________ is any system onboard the ISS that the space station needs to survive.

Motion Control System

Serving as one of the onboard core systems, the __________ __________ ___________ determines the ISS’s state vectors (position and velocity) and attitude (yaw, pitch, roll, and rate of change of these rotations). In other words, it provides attitude and translational control.

ADCO

Who is responsible for MCS (Motion Control System) during real-time missions?

Command and Data Handling

Serving as one of the onboard core systems, the __________ __________ ___________ _____________ (CDH) provides for automated software control of the ISS core systems. It also provides Caution and Warning (C&W) annunciation to the crew and ground.

Fire

Aside from toxic atmosphere and rapid depressurization, a main caution onboard the ISS is _______.

rapid depressurization

Aside from toxic atmosphere and fire, a main caution onboard the ISS is _______.

toxic atmosphere

Aside from fire and rapid depressurization, a main caution onboard the ISS is _______.

CRONUS

Who is responsible for CDH (Command and Data Handling) during real-time missions?

Communication and Tracking

Serving as one of the onboard core systems, the __________ __________ ___________ (C&T) system provides for communication onboard the ISS with crewmembers, to ground, and to visiting vehicles.

CRONUS

Who is responsible for C&T (Communication and Tracking) during real-time missions?

Environmental Control and Life Support System

Serving as one of the onboard core systems, the __________ __________ ___________ ________ ________ _________(ECLSS) keeps the crew alive by providing a pressurized, breathable atmosphere, removing contaminants, providing atmospheric ventilation and temperature and humidity control, providing and recycling water resources, detecting and suppressing fires, and providing food for the crew.

ETHOS

Who is responsible for ECLSS (Environmental Control and Life Support System) during real-time missions?

Temperature Control System

Serving as one of the onboard core systems, the __________ __________ ___________ (TCS) maintains equipment and payloads at required temperatures.

Active

Within the TCS, the ________ thermal control uses mechanically pumped fluid to collect and transport heat (heat exchanger). Specifically, the Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) transfers heat to the External Thermal Control System (ETCS) via heat exchangers before the heat is rejected via radiators.

Passive

Within the TCS, the ________ thermal control uses insulation, coatings, heaters, and heat pipes to maintain thermal conditions.

ETHOS

Who is responsible for ITCS (Internal Thermal Control System) during real-time missions?

SPARTAN

Who is responsible for ETCS (External Thermal Control System) during real-time missions?

Electrical Power System

Serving as one of the onboard core systems, the __________ __________ ___________ (EPS) provides uninterrupted DC POWER to the ISS using the power generated from the solar arrays.

IROSA

Since the legacy solar arrays are degenerating in efficiency, _________ (or the roll-out) solar arrays are fastened over the top to generate the necessary power for the ISS.

Equipment

Within the joint airlock, the crew suits up in the _________ lock.

Crew

Within the joint airlock, the crew gets ready to go out for EVAs in the ________ lock.

Portable Life Support

On the back of the space suit, the _______ ______ _______ or PLS equips the crew with water, air, and telemetry.

MRM-2

Rather than using the Joint Airlock with the other astronauts, the Russians prepare for EVAs in ______________.

MRM-2

Much like MRM-1 and the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, __________ provides docking capabilities for Soyuz and Progress.

Nanoracks Airlock

Initially installed on the Node 3 port, this component represents a relocatable payloads airlock.

Space Station Robotic Manipulator System

The 7-jointed, self-relocatable robotic arm onboard the ISS. It has 2 latching end effectors and 10 power and data grapple fixtures. Abbreviated the SSRMS, this component is pivotal in the assembly and maintenance of the ISS as it is used for module install, VV berthing, and EVA crewmember translation.

CSA

Which agency built the SSRMS?

Cupola

___________ provides a pressurized observation area and robotics workstation for SSRMS. It offers external viewing via 6 side windows and 1 nadir window.

Mobile Transporter

Effectively an ISS train, the MT or _________ ___________ provides lateral mobility for the SSRMS.

Mobile Base Station

Sitting atop the Mobile Transporter (MT), the MBS or _________ __________ _________ has 4 power-and-data grapple fixtures and provides 2 attachment locations for external payloads.

DEXTRE

A two-armed robot that performs exterior maintenance and repairs, providing fine motor control to grapple small payloads. It can be moved by SSRMS or MBS.

JEMRMS

A JAXA-built robotic arm with 6 joints that is used to move experimental hardware and place payloads submitted out via the airlock.

European Robotic Arm

Self-relocatable robotic arm that mostly operates on the Russian side.

Service Module

This node contains the Russian critical systems and crew support module. Specifically, it generates oxygen, removes CO2, and houses the galley, toilet, exercise equipment, and 2 crew quarters. It also provides motion control and reboost capability via thrusters.

Node 3

This node features a six-way module and passageway to which other modules attach. Notably, this node houses the crew support module for NASA crew. Thus, the toilet, exercise equipment, water reclamation systems, O2 generation equipment, and CO2 removal equipment are all contained in here. Again, this is the CREW GYM FOR NASA ASTRONAUTS.

Node 2

This node connects the Lab to JPM and COL and also serves as a crew support module, offering 4 crew quarters. It also offers berthing and docking ports.

Node 1

This node is the oldest American segment, having launched with 2 pressurized mating adapters (PMAs). It is also the only node that has a galley and is connected to Node 3 and the airlock.

Pressurized Mating Component

Abbreviated PMA, this component serves as an adapter for 2 nodes.

Forward

__________ corresponds to the direction “front” in the ISS coordinate system.

Aft

__________ corresponds to the direction “back” in the ISS coordinate system.

Port

__________ corresponds to the direction “left” in the ISS coordinate system.

Starboard

__________ corresponds to the direction “right” in the ISS coordinate system.

Zenith

__________ corresponds to the direction “up” in the ISS coordinate system.

Nadir

__________ corresponds to the direction “down” in the ISS coordinate system (towards Earth).

Nodal Module

Serving as a 6-way connecting module, this node allows for more docking ports for Soyuz and Progress.

Functional Cargo Block

This node was the first ISS element launched, offering internal stowage for cargo and external propellant storage.

Closet

The JEM Logistics Module Pressurized Section provides internal stowage and 8 rack locations. In other words, it is the __________ onboard the ISS.

PMAs

____________ allow visiting vehicles to dock to the ISS.

ROS

PMA1 is attached to Node 1 and connects the USOS to the _________.

Docking

PMA2 is attached to Node 2 forward and provides an International _________ Adapter for ___________. (SAME WORD)

Umbilicals

ISS visiting vehicles receive power from the space station through _________.

Bigelow Expandable Activity Module

An inflatable module that is berthed to Node 3 Aft and serves as cargo storage. It is certified to remain on the ISS until 2028 due to gradual deflation.

Self-sufficient

In the era before Skylab, payloads were largely _____________, not relying on onboard thermal control, water, power, etc. For the Apollo missions, they normally were not operated unless on the Moon.

Bags

In the pre-Skylab era, payloads were typically flown in __________ or stored wherever there was space.

Lockers

In contrast to the previous method of payload storage, Skylab contained _______________ for stowage of payloads and equipment.