Providing a quiescent microgravity, or low-gravity, environment for fundamental scientific research is one of the major goals of the International Space Station program. This apparent weightlessness is created as the Space Station circles and falls around Earth, and the continuous free fall simulates the absence of gravity.
Thrusters firing on the International Space Station (ISS)
However, tiny disturbances aboard the space station mimic the effects of gravity, and scientists need to understand, track and measure these potential disruptions. Two accelerometer systems developed by NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, are being used aboard the Station. Operation of these systems began with Expedition Two and will continue throughout the life of the Space Station.
Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack 4 (JPM1F5),in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Pressurized Module (JPM). Elite-S2, Interface Management Unit (IMU), and Remote Triaxial Sensor System (FDO2 (SAMS-II) are visible. Photo was taken during Expedition 34.
Documentation of a Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) sensor installed at location LAB1S1 in the Destiny U.S. Laboratory during Expedition 27.
Back-dropped by the blackness of space and Earth’s horizon, an unmanned Progress supply vehicle approaches the ISS during Expedition 7. Inset image shows microgravity acceleration data provided by the SAMS-II hardware during a Progress docking with ISS.
SAMS-II in EXPRESS Rack 4 in U.S. Lab during Expedition 8.
SAMS sensor head mounted near top of EXPRESS Rack 2 in U.S. Lab taken during Expedition 4.
