Phase III Flight Safety - astrobotanyReach in, rotate each insert 2-3 turns ccw, then remove insert with plant. Repeat for all 30 plants, fix and store in CGBA. Insert new seed plug,

CGBA + PGBA Phase 3 (STS-110, STS-112) 1

Phase III Flight SafetyPGBA-04 Payload

BioServe Space TechnologiesA Life Sciences – NASA Commercial Space Center

Alex Hoehn Assoc. Director Engineering / Safety, BioServeSherry Woodard Engineering / Safety, BioServe

BioServe Space Technologies, 429, UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0429, Tel. (303) 492-1005, Fax (303) 492-8883

CGBA

PGBA


Acronyms

Gas Exchange (employs hydrophobic membrane for liquid containment).GE

Group Activation Pack.GAP

Isothermal Containment Module – a modular incubator for CGBA payload.ICM

Internal Motor – Group Activation Pack.IM-GAP

Failure Review Board.FRB

Express Rack.ER

Liquid Crystal Display, used in PGBA.LCD

EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station.EXPRESS

Electro-luminescent Display (yellow on back background), used in CGBA.EL-Display

Emergency Warning and Caution (0=nominal, 1=Advisory, 3=Warning=Shutdown).

EWAC / ECW

Fluid Processing Apparatus.FPA

Plant Generic BioProcessing Apparatus – a spaceflight greenhouse.PGBA

End of Mission in GMT time (expected Shuttle landing time).EOM

Commercial Generic BioProcessing Apparatus – payload name, uses ICM.CGBA


PGBA-4 – STS-112 / ISS.9A

Payload Overview PGBA-4 / STS-112 – ISS.9A -> ISS.11A – Inc.5 :• Science Summary.• Reflight (4th) of PGBA, first ISS flight.• Modifications since STS-94.

» Split coolant system / dual pump.» Modified nutrient delivery for timed germination.

Plant Access on Orbit:• Reverification of plant chamber seal.

Re-baseline PGBA hazard reports:• Generic HR now in STD-PGBA (JSC-1230).• Updated unique HR to latest ISS references.• Review of Hazard Reports.


Science Overview

Investigate time course of genetic changes due to microgravity exposure:

§ 30 Arabidopsis thaliana plants:

u Biologically simple (mustard-type plant).

u Fast growth rate – matures in 4-6 weeks.

u Entire genome sequenced.

n Two crops during Inc.5, automated, time-staggered germination, some germinatedpre-launch:

u 1st crop sown pre-flight, multiple automatedgerminations, single harvest, fixed on-orbit.

u 2nd crop sown in-flight, automated germination, fixed on ground post-flight.

Mature plant, 4-6 weeks.

Plant as harvested from PGBA, 3 weeks.


PGBA Payload Overview

PGBA-03: STS-94 in Proto-EXPRESS / Spacelab. PGBA-04: Mufflers for ISS.

STS-77: 10 day missionSTS-83: 4 day aborted MSL-1STS-94: 16 day MSL-1

No PGBA anomalies,but:- transfer issues / lesson learned


PGBA Faceplate with mufflers (ISS)

4 air inlets on inlet muffler.Mufflers attached with Velcro.

1 air outlet on exhaust muffler.

Standard EXPRESS power and data interfaces.

4 standard NSTS locker latches.


PGBA Faceplate without mufflers (NSTS)

LCD display with touch screen,which can be enabled / disabled.Enabled: Touch screen responsive.Disabled: Touch screen will not respond.

Air inlet screen.

Air outlet

Standard NSTS locker latches with modified handles.


PGBA Connectors & Switches

Standard EXPRESS power and data interfaces.

Mandatory tethered connector caps with Velcro.

Main Power circuit breaker / LED and touch screen enable switch (guarded).

Brace for Air Inlet muffler (Velcro attachment).

PFE Access


PGBA Installation / GSE Equipment

• Red eyebolts for Spacehab Tunnel Installation• GSE handles for transport / overhead installation(captive fasteners not shown).


Transfer Operations: PGBA to / from ISS

n Powered transfer to maintain PGBA environmental control.

n Limit to 60 minutes power off time.n Locker replacement unit requires 8 captive

fastener for mounting (generic ISS tools).n Changes since MSL-1:

n Captive fasteners / radial float on PGBA.n PMPs remain in middeck.n No tether requirement for rapid safing.n Assume: transfers now ‘routine’.

n PD does not train astronauts on transfer operations.

PGBA Transfer: Middeck to Spacelab, STS-94.


ISS Operations – Status Check / Maintenance

CGBA (ER#4, position 3):n √ Power LED On ?n √ Airflow at Exhaust ? n √ Set Temp = Actual Temp ?n √ Time Incrementing ?n Maintenance: Clean inlet screen on muffler.

(Mufflers remain attached)

Status Check per Cue Card:

PGBA (ER#4, position 7/8) :n √ Power LED On ?n √ Airflow at Exhaust ?n √ EWAC=0 ?n √ Time Incrementing ?n Maintenance: Clean inlet screens

(4) on muffler. (Mufflers remain attached)


Operations: Open PGBA Faceplate

• 4 locker latches open.• Faceplate rotated around bottom edge(hinged).

Plant Chamber lid still closed:Inspect for free water.


Remove Plant Chamber Lid Screws

10 captive fasteners (1-2 turns).

Pull lid uniformly (parallel) from chamber.


Harvesting Plant

Reach in, rotate each insert 2-3 turns ccw, then remove insert with plant.

Repeat for all 30 plants, fix and store in CGBA.

Insert new seed plug, rotate cw until tight.

Harvesting / Insertion of new seed plug (30x) into PGBA.


ISS Operations – Harvesting

n Remove fixative tube from CGBA, harvest plant, place plant in tube, attach plunger rod, inject fixative - slowly, store in CGBA.

n Repeat for entire PGBA crop 30x.

Plunger rod – connect after plant insertion

Fixative Tube

End cap – remove to insert plant


Operations – Sowing

§ Place new dry seed plugs into PGBA root tray, one at a time (30x).

n Close chamber lid, hand-tighten 10 captive fasteners 2-3 times to ensure good seal.

n Close PGBA faceplate, aligning pins and locking latches (4x).

n Reconnect cables, power up PGBA.n Replace mufflers.n Perform PGBA Status Check.

Felt

Removable Plug

Plastic CoveredSteel Wire

Small PlasticCentrifuge

TubePlasticLine


Re-Attach and Re-seal Plant Chamber Lid

Attach chamber lid and push down.

Tighten 10 captive fasteners (1-2 turns) going around perimeter until finger-tight.

Finger-tighten 1-2 more times to ensure proper seal.

(Optional battery-powered screw driver with Phillips head bit.)

Tighten screws 2-3 times around

1 2 3

4

5

2-3 times


PGBA Plant Chamber


Atmosphere Treatment System

CO2

O2

HydrophobicFilter

Return toCabin

Intake fromCabin

HydrophobicFilter

CO2

O2

Delta-PDelta-P

BaOHScrubber

ActivatedCarbonFilter

PGCReturn

IntakefromPGC

SealedPlantGrowthChamber

C2H4Scrubber

CO2

O2

Light

H2O

PressureTemperatureRelative Humidity

MixingCirculation


Plant Growth Chamber - Intentionally Vented Container

CO2

O2

HydrophobicFilter

Return toCabin

Intake fromCabin

HydrophobicFilter

CO2

O2

Delta-PDelta-P

BaOHScrubber


PGCReturn

IntakefromPGC


C2H4Scrubber

Max. Differential Pressure across one (1) Relief Valve

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Time [sec]M

ax. T

ran

s-M

emb

ran

e D

iff.

Pre

ssu

re [p

sid

]

-24 psi/min- 9 psi/min

40 liter plant chamber volume, Circle Seal 259-2PP Relief Valve, 0.3 psid

0.567 psid @ -24psi/min

0.398 psid @ -9psi/min

Water trap


Atmosphere Treatment System

CO2

O2

HydrophobicFilter

Return toCabin

Intake fromCabin

HydrophobicFilter

CO2

O2

Delta-PDelta-P

BaOHScrubber


PGCReturn

IntakefromPGC


C2H4Scrubber

Atmosphere Treatment Cartridge:• Barium Hydroxide• Activated Charcoal

3 levels of containment:• Stainless steel frit• Glass mesh• Stainless steel screen


Humidity Control / Condensate Recovery

Root PackRemovable

Lid

Root PackBottom

Soil Needle

RubberSepta

Base

Comb

Root PackRemovable

Lid

Root PackBottom

Soil Needle

RubberSepta

Base

Comb


Electric Subsystem


Data Acquisition and Control


Shock Hazard / Power Distribution

LCD Backlighting

LCD Backlighting


Thermal Subsystem


Pressurized Systems – Atmosphere Treatment System


Pressurized Systems – Temperature Control Loop


Pressurized Systems – Humidity Control Loop


Pressurized Systems – Nutrient Delivery System


On-orbit Plant Access

• Plants are non-hazardous.• Hardware failure resulting in free water know prior to crew

access, or visible prior to lid opening.• Lid re-sealing only necessary if:

» Humidity control system would subsequently fail and free condensate is created.» Nutrient Delivery System malfunctions and delivers excess water to single bag rather

than distributed bag (bags can hold all water if uniformly delivered).

• If 50% of screws are sealed in a symmetric pattern, lid is watertight at MDP.

• Computer verifies if lid is attached and chamber can be pressurized to relief valve opening pressure.» ECW = 1 if lid seal not established.


PGBA “Old” Hazard Reports

HR Title STS-112 Status

PGBA-1 Sharp Edges deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 04, updated.

PGBA-2 Structural Failure due to Launch,…

updated; PGBA is a dual replacement locker.

PGBA-3 Frangible Materials deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 05, updated.

PGBA-4 Rotating Devices deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 13, updated.

PGBA-5 Toxic Offgassing deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 07, updated.

PGBA-6 Flammable Materials deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 06, updated.

PGBA-7 Leakage of Fluid Samples updated for on-orbit crew access / harvesting.

PGBA-8 Temperature Extremes deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 10, updated.

PGBA-9 Ignition Sources / Electrical deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 11, updated.

PGBA-10 Electric Shock updated, PGBA contains high voltage AC sources.

PGBA-11 Rupture/Leakage Batteries updated, PGBA battery doesn’t meet JSC form 1230-item 9.

PGBA-12 EMI deleted, see new STD-PGBA, item 08, updated. PGBA-13 Pressurized System Plant Chamber: vented container, see STD-PGBA, item

03. Liquid Coolant System, updated.


PGBA “New” Hazard Reports

HR Title STS-112 Status

STD-PGBA

Generic PGBA Hazard Controls

New – derived from individual hazard reports from STS-77.

PGBA-2 Structural Failure due to Launch,…

Updated; PGBA is a dual replacement locker.

PGBA-7 Leakage of Fluid Samples Updated; for on-orbit crew access / harvesting.

PGBA-10 Electric Shock updated; PGBA contains high voltage AC sources.

PGBA-11 Rupture/Leakage Batteries updated; PGBA battery doesn’t meet JSC form 1230-item 9. PGBA-13 Pressurized System Plant Chamber: vented container, see STD-PGBA, item 03.

Liquid Coolant System, updated.

Documents

Phase III Flight Safety - astrobotanyReach in, rotate each insert 2-3 turns ccw, then remove insert with plant. Repeat for all 30 plants, fix and store in CGBA. Insert new seed plug,