Columbus ECLSS and TCS Joint Operations Support - Lessons Learned

• Main Authors: Szigetvari, Z, Noack, E, Scharringhausen, L, Mueller, R, Bufano, G, Marco, B, Quaranta, A, Parodi, P, Palumberi, S
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0148-7191; 2688-3627
• DOI: 10.4271/2009-01-2559

Columbus had been mated to the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2008 and it is working since then nearly flawlessly. Operation of the European Laboratory requires the coordination of different and relocated operational and support centers. Especially, module system level activities, related to functional operation of the ECLSS and TCS subsystems require a multidisciplinary and well coordinated task management between the NASA Houston Space Center, the European Columbus Control Center, the ALTEC/TAS-I and the Astrium Bremen Engineering Support Centers (ESC). The present paper concentrates on the lessons learned during the last year of module operation with emphasis on TCS and ECLSS related activities (e.g. nominal operations, anomaly resolutions, troubleshooting and maintenance activities). Several highlights of TCS and ECLSS related activities were worked out and investigated with respect to operational scenario as well as potential improvements for a more efficient and coordinated operation. For improved visualization of anomaly resolution and troubleshooting for maintenance activities, the flow down of responsibilities will be described. The present paper provides an overview of Columbus operations in the field of TCS and ECLSS subsystem activities and concentrates on aspects of lessons learned and improvement potentials identified. It further elaborates improvement proposals to be implemented into future operational scenarios.