{"id":546544,"date":"2023-10-11T17:50:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T21:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=546544"},"modified":"2024-01-11T10:24:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T15:24:05","slug":"robotic-external-leak-locator","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/robotic-external-leak-locator\/","title":{"rendered":"Robotic External Leak Locator"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>NEXIS<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/\">NExIS Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/about-nexis\/\">About<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/NEXIS-resources\/\">Resources<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Missions & Servicing Technologies<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/technology.nasa.gov\/satellite-servicing\" rel=\"noopener\">Patented Technologies<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/isam\/\">In-Space Servicing, Assembly<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/on-orbit-servicing-assembly-and-manufacturing-1\/\">OSAM-1 Mission<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/relative-navigation-system\/\">Relative Navigation System<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/robotic-servicing-arm\/\">Robotic Servicing Arm<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/propellant-transfer-technologies\/\">Propellant Transfer Technologies<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/robotic-refueling-mission-3\/\">Robotic Refueling Mission 3<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/rrm-1-2\/\">RRM: Phase 1&2<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/nasa.gov\/nexis\/raven\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Raven<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/robotic-external-leak-locator\/\">Robotic External Leak Locator<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-page-intro hds-page-intro-banner width-full maxw-full padding-0 hds-cover-wrapper minh-tablet\">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto margin-bottom-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-top-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"page-heading-md line-height-sm color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRobotic External Leak Locator (RELL)\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"864\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rell.jpg?w=864\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Robotic External Leak Locator\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 75% 47%; object-position: 75% 47%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rell.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rell.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rell.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rell.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rell.jpg?resize=600,400 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Batten down the hatches!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like a ship, the International Space Station is carrying precious lives and cargo through an unforgiving environment – and its operators want to make sure that its critical resources, like the ammonia that helps keep the station’s cooling system working properly, do not escape into space. NASA’s Robotic External Leak Locator (RELL) is a robotic, remote-controlled tool that helps mission operators detect the location of an external leak and rapidly confirm a successful repair. With RELL added to their tool chest, the space station team has another helper in their quest to keep the orbiting research center and all its onboard experiments operating at the right temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Helping Space Station Operate Optimally <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as coolant in your car is used to cool its engine, ammonia is circulated through a huge system of pumps, reservoirs and radiators on the space station to cool all of its complex life support systems, spacecraft equipment and science experiments. This coolant system contains thousands of feet of tubing and hundreds of joints. Throughout its lifetime, this system has experienced tens of thousands of thermal cycles orbiting through night and day and the normal wear and tear that comes with over a decade in service. The space station also has to contend with micrometeoroids: tiny objects whizzing through space at speeds that can easily exceed 20,000 miles per hour – and that can cause unwanted, microscopic holes in spacecraft equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, there have been intermittent component failures and leaks on the ammonia cooling loop. Astronauts have undertaken spacewalks to help diagnose, troubleshoot and replace components within the complex active thermal control system. Without a way to robotically locate leaks with high accuracy, astronauts have used spacewalk time to inspect and isolate a potential leak site before addressing the problem at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How It Works<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>RELL is stored until an ammonia leak is detected. Then, a game of \u201chot and cold\u201d would begin. Affixed to the Canadian Space Agency\u2019s Dextre robot arm, RELL would be moved around the outside of Station using its mass spectrometer \u201csniffer\u201d to locate ammonia leaks. When RELL is directed toward a leak, it returns a higher signal. The higher the signal, the closer the leak. This process allows RELL to pinpoint the source of any given ammonia leak, giving Station managers the information they need to understand and correct the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before RELL, astronauts manually searched for leaks on spacewalks, which always carry an element of risk due to the nature of spacewalks.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-image-carousel grid-container grid-container-block padding-top-8 padding-bottom-8 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-carousel\">\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image-carousel-slider margin-0\" id=\"image-carousel-slider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1-all-gsfc-testing-s.jpg?w=600\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"NASA engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center prepare the RELL for flight.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1-all-gsfc-testing-s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1-all-gsfc-testing-s.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1-all-gsfc-testing-s.jpg?resize=400,200 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA engineers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center prepare the RELL for flight.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-block width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper hds-image-carousel-slide margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"358\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/iss050e014820s.jpg?w=600\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Astronaut Shane Kimbrough with RELL on station\" style=\"transform: scale(1.02); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/iss050e014820s.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/iss050e014820s.jpg?resize=300,179 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/iss050e014820s.jpg?resize=400,239 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Astronaut Shane Kimbrough with RELL on station<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-carousel-nav display-flex margin-left-auto margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-prev\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M3.5,4.5l3.7-3.6L6.3,0L1.8,4.5L6.3,9l0.9-0.9L3.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-carousel-nav-arrow hds-carousel-arrow-next margin-right-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"9px\" height=\"9px\" viewBox=\"0 0 9 9\"><path class=\"st0\" d=\"M5.5,4.5L1.8,8.1L2.7,9l4.5-4.5L2.7,0L1.8,0.9L5.5,4.5z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two instruments working in sync give the RELL its ammonia-detecting superpowers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mass spectrometer<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Designed for use in a vacuum, this device measures the number of molecules present in any molecular mass to create a “mass spectrum” reading. From this spectrum, analysts can distinguish between gasses that are naturally present in the orbital environment, versus ammonia – which could only be coming from the space station itself. Far more sensitive than a human nose, the instrument can detect a leak from a football field’s length away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ion vacuum pressure gauge<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>True to its name, this device measures total pressure in space. It cannot distinguish between different gas molecules, but it can sniff for a large leak up close- and locate a leak’s position to within a few inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The RELL So Nice, They Got It Twice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>RELL launched to the International Space Station on December 3, 2015. Since then, it has proven its worth, successfully locating a leak and significantly reducing astronaut time required outside of Station to inspect and repair the leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because RELL was built inexpensively, the electronics are commercial off-the-shelf and could be affected by the radiation environment in space, so Space Station always planned to request a spare. The first RELL unit\u2019s success paved the way for a second, spare unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second RELL unit launched to station on April 17, 2019 aboard Cygnus NG-11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Liftoff of Orbital ATK CRS-4\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UlqFAKJuK24?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Both RELL units will be stored in Robotic Tool Stowage, or RiTS, an aluminum tool shed. Once installed to the outside of station, RiTS will store the instruments so they are available when needed to track down a leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:79px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Robotic Tool Stowage (RiTS)<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?w=1200\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"RELL Engineering Development Unit (left) pictured alongside RiTS flight unit\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?resize=900,675 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">RELL Engineering Development Unit (left) pictured alongside RiTS flight unit<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>With two RELLs on station, it was time for them to move to their very own storage unit. RiTS is an aluminum housing, like a tool shed, that has the ability to store RELL units outside of station. It provides heat and physical protection from radiation and micrometeroids, or tiny, high-speed objects hurtling in space. RiTS also has robot-friendly interfaces to allow Dextre to remotely grab and safely return a RELL to its stowage bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Storing RELL externally not only frees up space on board that could be used for other scientific hardware and experiments, but also allows for the important instruments to be deployed more quickly, easily, and efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"985\" height=\"657\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png?w=985\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"RiTS spacewalk install procedures being tested in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rits-in-nbl.png?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 985px) 100vw, 985px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">RiTS spacewalk install procedures being tested in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Currently, the process of deploying RELL depends on airlock and crew schedule availability, and after being deployed by station\u2019s Dextre robot, there is a 12 hour wait in space before it can be used. This time allows for RELL\u2019s extremely sensitive gas analyzer to clear itself of water vapor and other gasses from inside the station, essentially giving the instruments a clean slate. It could take multiple weeks or even months from the time a leak is suspected to the time RELL is deployed to find out where it is coming from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With RiTS\u2019 external stowage capabilities, this entire process only depends on Dextre\u2019s availability, greatly expediting the search for leaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RiTS was developed in partnership with NASA Johnson Space Center, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2019\/nasa-launching-rits-a-robot-hotel-to-the-international-space-station\/\">launched on Dec. 5, 2019<\/a> aboard the 19th SpaceX commercial resupply mission. Eventually, it will be installed as a permanent fixture on the International Space Station via astronaut spacewalk, pending spacewalk schedule availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:42px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beyond ISS<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits of leak detection have already been proven on Station, and this ability could be similarly helpful for long-term human habitation on the lunar Gateway, a lunar habitat, and perhaps one day a crewed voyage to Mars. Furthermore, at their core, RELL is a robotics-controlled characterizer of the local environment. This same ability could be used to determine the composition of nearby environments for exploration on the lunar surface, and for scientific and resource utilization purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:42px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Tale of Two Centers<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Working together, the Engineering Directorate at JSC and the Satellite Servicing Projects Division (SSPD) at NASA’s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\">Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)<\/a> developed RELL for the ISS Program so that astronauts could dedicate their resources to other duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers\/johnson\/home\/index.html\">Johnson Space Center (JSC)<\/a> Engineering Directorate houses many of the space station subsystem managers that are responsible for keeping the immense, orbiting research asset operating safely and reliably for global use. With a wide array of technology development experts, designers, analysts, project engineers and project managers in house that have developed ISS systems and supporting hardware, the Engineering Directorate seeks to support the ISS program by providing solutions like RELL that can enhance the ISS mission and systems reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The team is driving the cutting edge in new NASA servicing technologies. In creating RELL, SSPD leveraged the experience they gained building and executing the <a href=\"https:\/\/nexis.gsfc.nasa.gov\/robotic_refueling_mission.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM)<\/a>, an experiment on space station that is successfully demonstrating tools, technologies and techniques to service spacecraft that were not designed for in-flight repair.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 role=\"textbox\" class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner-default\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M12 0H0V20H18V6H12V0ZM14 8H4V10H14V8ZM4 4H10V6H4V4ZM14 12H4V14H14V12ZM4 16H14V18H4V16Z\" fill=\"#58585B\"\/><path d=\"M18 5L13 0V5H18Z\" fill=\"#58585B\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-22\">Robotic External Leak Locator Fact Sheet<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-sm\">Oct 11, 2023<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-sm\">PDF (873.35 KB)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rell-factsheet-print-041519.pdf?emrc=666f104442b23\" target=\"_blank\" download>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 bg-spacesuit-white color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-news-manual\">\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"section-heading-md\">Featured News<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary link-external-false\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 \" >\n\t\t\t\tMore NASA News                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col\"><div class=\"grid-row latest-news-items\"><div class=\"grid-col mobile:grid-col tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col latest-news-item latest-news-item-0 margin-bottom-2 -tablet:margin-bottom-0 desktop:margin-bottom-0 padding-right-0 tablet:padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasa-launching-rits-a-robot-hotel-to-the-international-space-station\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item tablet:padding-right-0\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">4 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>NASA Launching RiTS, a \u2018Robot Hotel\u2019 to the International Space Station<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=2048,1536 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=900,675 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=1200,900 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/rell_and_rits_0.jpg?resize=2000,1500 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"tablet:grid-col grid-row latest-news-items\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/nasa-nose-importance-of-humans-robots-exploring-together\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item margin-bottom-2 tablet:margin-bottom-0 desktop:margin-bottom-0 tablet:padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-2\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">4 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>NASA \u2018Nose\u2019 Importance of Humans, Robots Exploring Together<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg 4928w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=1536,1022 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=2048,1363 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=900,599 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=1200,799 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/shane_kimbrough_leak_locator.jpg?resize=2000,1331 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><div class=\"grid-col news-item-stack\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/nasas-robot-hotel-gets-its-occupants\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item tablet:margin-right-0 desktop:margin-right-0 margin-bottom-2 mobile:margin-bottom-2 tablet:margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-2\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">3 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>NASA\u2019s ‘Robot Hotel’ Gets Its Occupants<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"697\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg 3032w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=300,204 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=768,523 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=1024,697 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=1536,1046 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=2048,1394 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=400,272 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=600,408 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=900,613 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=1200,817 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/mbs.jpg?resize=2000,1361 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/robot-hotel-launching-international-space-station\/\" class=\"tablet:grid-col latest-news-item news-item tablet:margin-right-0 desktop:margin-right-0 margin-bottom-2 mobile:margin-bottom-0 tablet:margin-bottom-0 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\"><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-align-start flex-justify-start z-200\"><div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Image Article<\/span><\/div><div class=\"display-block\"><div class=\"label margin-bottom-1\">1 Min Read<\/div><p class=\"heading-22 color-spacesuit-white margin-0\"><span>\u2018Robot Hotel\u2019 Launching to the International Space Station<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png?resize=768,513 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png?resize=1024,684 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png?resize=600,401 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/rits_in_nbl.png?resize=900,601 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-row padding-top-2 desktop:padding-top-3\"><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Batten down the hatches! Just like a ship, the International Space Station is carrying precious lives and cargo through an unforgiving environment – and its operators want to make sure that its critical resources, like the ammonia that helps keep the station’s cooling system working properly, do not escape into space. NASA’s Robotic External Leak Locator (RELL) is a [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":167,"featured_media":546552,"parent":543255,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[10404],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Robotic External Leak Locator","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/robotic-external-leak-locator\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/robotic-external-leak-locator\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg"},"articleSection":"General","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jennifer M. Brill"}],"creator":["Jennifer M. Brill"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2023-10-11T21:50:08Z","datePublished":"2023-10-11T21:50:08Z","dateModified":"2024-01-11T15:24:05Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Robotic External Leak Locator\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nexis\/robotic-external-leak-locator\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ritspic2.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-10-11T21:50:08Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"General\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Jennifer M. 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