Introduction

The International Space Station (ISS) is an unparalleled international, scientific, andtechnological cooperative venture that is opening a new era of human spaceexploration and research that will provide benefits to people on Earth. The ISS, thelargest spacecraft in history, will be launched on more than 40 launches using threedifferent launch vehicles. Comprising six different laboratories, the ISS will enableunprecedented advances in biological, medical, materials, and industrial research.Phase II of the ISS program began after the successful completion of theShuttle-Mir program (Phase I). Phase II of ISS development consists of

10 separate flights. These flights, the focus of this poster, begin the constructionphase and are the foundation for the ISS. In the activity, students will design andbuild their own space station. This will provide them with the foundation so theirvision of a space station can become a reality.

Flight Background InformationThe A stands for American. The R stands for Russian. The following flights are

listed in the order of launch.

Flight 1A/R (Russian Proton Rocket)The first element launched was the Control Module named Zarya, the Russian

word for “sunrise.” Zarya provides propulsion control capability and power

through the early assembly stage. It also provides fuel storage and rendezvousand docking capability to the Service Module. The 18,182-kilogram pressurizedspacecraft was launched on a Russian Proton rocket. As assembly continues,

Zarya will provide orbital control, communications, and power for the U.S.-built

Node 1, Unity. During this period, Zarya will control the motion and maintain the

altitude of the Space Station’s orbit. It will also generate and distribute electricalpower and provide ground communications. In the later stages of ISS assembly,

Zarya will primarily provide storage capacity. It will be used throughout the life of

the Space Station.Flight 2A (Shuttle Flight)

On flight 2A, Unity and Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMA) 1 and 2 were

launched. The PMA-1 connects the U.S. and Russian elements. The PMA-2provides a Shuttle docking location. Unity’s six ports provide connecting points for

Zarya, as well as the Z1 truss, airlock, cupola, Node 2, 

tics Module, to be delivered later. Unity is a connecting 

working areas of the ISS—the U.S. Habitation and LabIt is the first major U.S.-built component of the ISS. It mechanical items, 216 lines to carry fluids and gases, aelectrical cables using 9.7 kilometers of wire.Flight 1R (Russian Proton Rocket)Flight 1R will launch the Russian Service Module, the pService Module will provide the Environmental Control elements and will be the primary docking port for the Pwill also provide propulsive attitude control and reboosStation living quarters, electrical power distribution, thflight control system, and communications. Although msupplemented or replaced by later U.S. ISS componentalways remain the structural and functional center of thFlight 2A.1 (Shuttle Flight)The flight element for 2A.1 is the Spacehab Logistics Dthe double spacehab flight is to provide a logistics flighmissions. It will carry equipment to further outfit the Sthat can be off-loaded from the early U.S. assembly fligthe capacity to hold up to 4,536 kilograms as well as thpowered payloads.Flight 3A (Shuttle Flight)Flight 3A will deliver the Integrated Truss Structure (ITSused as a mounting location for the P6 Truss Segment Module. This Photovoltaic Module will provide power fdone on the ISS. Also being delivered on this flight will Mating Adapter and the Control Moment Gyros (these wattitude control). In addition, the Ku-band communicatthis flight (and later activated on flight 6A). This system support ISS scientific research and television transmis

The International Space Station: A dream... a vision... a reality.
Flight 2R (Russian Soyuz Rocket)

This launch will establish the first ISS three-person crew, or Expedition I. TheCommander will be a U.S. Astronaut and the other two crew members will beRussian Cosmonauts. The Soyuz vehicle will provide crew return capabilitywithout the Shuttle present. The first crew will spend 5 months on the ISS.Flight 4A (Shuttle Flight)The completion of this flight reflects the temporary installation and activation ofthe P6 truss segment. The P6 Photovoltaic Module is the first of four U.S. solarbased power sources. It will be moved and permanently attached to the P5 trussafter flight 13A. Two Photovoltaic Thermal Control System radiators will provideearly active thermal control. Also, the S-band communications system will beactivated. This will provide radio communications on a specific frequency and thecapability of transferring data.Flight 5A (Shuttle Flight)Flight 5A will deliver the U.S. Laboratory Module. This lab will provide a shirtsleeve environment for research, technology development, and repairs by the onorbit crew. The U.S. Laboratory will distribute several systems, including LifeSupport, Electrical Power, Command and Data Handling, Thermal Control,Communications, and Flight Crew Systems. There will be a total of 24 racks forexperiments in the U.S. Laboratory.

Flight 6A (Shuttle Flight)This flight will outfit the U.S. Laboratory. Also during provided that will allow space-to-space communicatioExtravehicular Activity (EVA), also known as a spacew

Space Station Remote Manipulating System will be dthe next generation in robotic arms, and it will be bigSpace Shuttle’s robotic arm. It is 17 meters long whemotorized joints. The arm is capable of handling large docking the Space Shuttle. It is self-relocatable so thamentary ports spread throughout the Space Station’s Flight 7A (Shuttle Flight)The Joint Airlock will be delivered on this flight. It wilcapability for both U.S. and Russian spacesuits. The a

It has a total pressurized volume of 27 cubic meters. be the High Pressure Gas Assembly, which augments resupply system. Each bottle is installed separately a(limited to oxygen).Access the Space Station Home Page to learn about PSpace Station information: http://spaceflight.nasa.go
Russian Science

Power Platform

Russia

Russia

Radiator

Directionof travel

JEM–Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Facility

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Pressurized Module

U.S. Habilitation Module

Italian Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (temporary module)

Node 3

Node 2

U.S. Laboratory Module

Centrifuge Accommodation Module

ESA Columbus Orbital Facility

Canadian Mobile Servicing System

Solar Array

Integrated Truss

Unity Node 1 (behind Truss)

Zarya (Sunrise)Control Module

U.S. Z1 Truss
Space Station Construction Activity

Adapted from an activity provided by Space Center Houston.Topic: Construction of a Space StationObjective: The students will create a model of the International Space

 Station given a set of materials and parameters.

Science StandardsScience as InquiryScience and Technology: Abilities of Technological DesignHistory and Nature of Science: Science as a Human Endeavor, Nature ofScienceMathematical StandardsProblem SolvingCommunicatingReasoningMathematical ConnectionsUniversals of TechnologyDesigning and developing technological systemsDetermining and controlling the behavior of technological systemsLinkagesPhysical systemsMaterials NeededPlastic kitchen wrapCraft sticksAluminum foilSmall buttonsSoft drink cansToothpicksCardboard tubes (toilet paper size)Styrofoam food trays

Correlation of Materials to Space Station ComPlastic kitchen wrap = Photovoltaic (PV) arraysCraft sticks = Support structure for PhotovoltaradiatorsAluminum foil = Thermal radiatorsCylindrical cans = Modules 1 (habitation) and 2 Cardboard tubes (cut into thirds) = Docking poStyrofoam food trays (cut into 4-cm wide stripIndividual serving size cereal boxes = Module 3 Buttons = Control jetsFlexible straws = Robotic armToothpicks = Miscellaneous decorations, suppProcedureExplain to the students that NASA engineers nenew ideas for the International Space Station.1. Collect the necessary materials or instruct s

home. Display a model of the “old” Internatiposter will do) as you discuss each individufunction: Module 1—habitation, Module 2—core (Resource Node), PV arrays, thermal racontrol jets, and robotic arm.

2. Show the constraints that must be followed (a) One hundred square centimeters of PV ar

cal needs of 500 cm3 of module volume.

(b) All modules must be connected to at least (c) Seventy-five square centimeters of therma

colling needs of 500 cm3 of module volum

(d) The length of the truss can not be longer t(e) The control jets must be positioned so tha

component of the Space Station and can m

Square centimeter paperIndividual serving cereal boxesFlexible strawsBalancesRulersScissorsGlueMasking tape

Number Systems and Number TheoryComputation and EstimationMeasurement
Space Station Construction Activity Continued

(f) The docking module should be positioned so that there is a clear,

straight path to it for the orbiter to dock.

(g) The robotic arm should be placed to maximize the number of components that it can reach.3. Depending on the amount of freedom you think your class can handle or

their mathematical background, go through the procedure pages withthem or allow them to work through the pages with their groups, assigning different roles for each group member to accomplish.

4. To simplify the determination of the volume of the soft drink cans, use

the can’s maximum diameter for calculations.

5. Have the groups construct their Space Station.We want you to build a new model of the International Space Station andpresent it to the class for approval. Of course, because of some limitations we have on size and weight of the Space Station, we do have a fewrequirements for you. Please assist us in creating a model that followsthe guidelines.Modules Design (student section)1. Weigh Module 1 (habitation) and record. Mod.1 = ________________grams2. Take can (circular face down) and trace the cross-sectional area on paper.3. Estimate the center point of the circle.4. Find the diameter (distance across the circle). d = __________________cm5. Find the radius (distance from center point to the edge). r = ______________cm6. Find the area of the cross section. The area is equal to π (3.14) times the radius.

The formula is A = π x r2

Area = π x ______________x_______________= _______cm2

 radius radius Area

7. Find the height of the can. Height = ____________8. Multiply the area from number 6 above with the he

obtain the volume of Module 1. The formula is V = 

 _________________cm2 x __________

Area from 6 Height fro

Using the same formulas, find the volume of the othLaboratory Module. Volume of Module 2 = ______

9. Weigh Module 3 (core) and record. Module 3 = _10. Measure Module 3. Length = _____________

 Width = _____________

Now that you have the volume for Modules 1 and 23—the Core Module. The Core Module is where thexists. In your model, a box (rectangular prism) hacore. The formula for finding the volume of a recta

 V = _____________ x ____________x _____

Length Width H

11. The next step is to find the sum of the weight for 

 of the volume of Modules 1, 2, and 3.

Weight=Module 1 __________ gWeight=Module 2 __________ gWeight=Module 3 __________ g

Total weight of modules __________ g

Volume=Module 1 __________ cm

Volume=Module 2 __________ cmVolume=Module 3 __________ cm

Total volume of modules __________ cm
Space Station Construction Activity Continued

PV Array Design (student section)1. Total volume of Modules 1, 2, and 3 __________ cm3.

2. One hundred cm2 of PV array will support the electrical needs of a module

with a volume of 500 cm3. How many square centimeters of PV array will be

needed to support the entire Space Station?Total area of PV modules __________ cm2.

3. Construct a PV array as shown in the illustration.4. Measure the area of the cellophane used in your array. __________ x __________ = __________ cm2

length width area

5. How many arrays will be needed to support the entire Space Station? Divide

your answer for number 2 by your answer for number 4.__________ cm2 / __________ cm2 = __________

 answer 2 answer 4 # of arrays

6. Construct the number of arrays you will need.7. Weigh your arrays and record the total mass in grams.

Total mass of the arrays __________ g.

Set them aside when completed.

Cellophane 

Cellophane with

Popsicle Sticks
Space Station Construction Activity Continued

Thermal Radiator Design (student section)The thermal radiators are used to help cool the Space Station. There are somerestrictions for your design.1. Total volume of Modules 1, 2, and 3 __________ cm3.

2. Seventy-five cm2 of thermal radiators can support the cooling needs of a

module with a volume of 500 cm3. How many square centimeters of thermal

radiators will be needed to support the entire Space Station?Total area of thermal radiators __________ cm2.

3. Construct a thermal radiator as shown in the illustration.4. Measure the area of the aluminum foil used in your thermal radiator.

__________ x __________ = __________ cm2

length width area

5. How many thermal radiators will be needed to support the entire Space

Station? Divide your answer for number 2 by your answer for number 4.__________ cm2 / __________ cm2 = __________

answer 2 answer 4 # of radiators

6. Construct the number of thermal radiators you will need.7. Weigh your thermal radiators and record the total mass in grams.8. Total mass of the thermal radiators __________ g.When completed, set them aside.

Aluminum

Foil 

Aluminum Foil wi

Popsicle Sticks
Space Station Construction Activity Continued

Final Design (student section)1. The first task is to decide where all of the components of the Space Station will be in your model. Using centimeter paper, make a sketch of each part and where you would like to put it. Design the truss according to where the PV arrays and thermal radiators will be. Remember the truss requirements.2. Construct a truss. Take the food trays and, if necessary, cut them to meet your specifications. Connect them together. Popsicle sticks can be used to help support connections. The truss does not need to be in one line, but according to the constraints, it cannot be longer then 50 cm.3. Glue the modules together and connect them to the truss in the proper position.4. Connect the PV arrays in their proper position.5. Place the thermal radiators in their proper position.6. Put the docking port (toilet paper roll) on one of the modules.7. Glue the control jets (buttons) on any of the Space Station components except the radiators or PV arrays. Remember to check the requirements.8. Place the robotic arm (flexible straw) on the Space Station. Do not put it on the PV arrays or radiators. Maximize the distance it can reach on the other parts of the Space Station.Weight Calculations (student section)1. Find the total weight of your Space Station.2. First, take the sum of the weights for the modules, PV arrays, thermal radiators, and truss structure: Weight Modules _______________grams

+ PV arrays _______________grams+ Thermal Radiators_______________grams+ Truss Segments _______________grams

Weight = _______________grams

Getting a total weight for the International Space Statbe impossible to get a total weight of the Space StatioSpace Station will never be assembled here on Earth. 

3. If possible, weigh your entire model. Use this figure 

weighing individual pieces as compared to the entire Space Station Weight = _______________grams

4. How close was the weight in number 2 to the weight 

2 from number 3.

Space Station Weight (number 3) _– Weight (number 2) _

Difference = 

Discussion1. Why are there restrictions on the individual compone2. Why is it important for the truss not to be over 50 cm3. Why do the control jets need to be pointed away from  components?4. Why did you choose the design you did?Extensions1. Have the students write instructions for building a Sp2. Design a campaign for advertising the Space Station.  products.3. Invite parents, faculty, and the local press to a Space  Space Stations and the advertising campaigns can be  can discuss their designs.AssessmentStudents will comply with all set parameters and complin order to meet those guidelines.For more information about the International Space S

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