Technical Paper
Columbus APM TCS Design and Development Status
1994-06-01
941566
The redesign of Space Station Freedom (SSF) and the requirement of the Columbus programme board to reduce costs have led ESA to change the design and development strategy of the Attached Pressurised Module (APM). A revised APM reference design for integration with the SSF Alpha has been produced with sufficient flexibility to allow adaptation as part of a global space station or to permit operations as part of a European Free Flyer. The main objectives of the redesign have been to simplify the design, reduce the costs and provide increased autonomy from the SSF. The key groundrules for the redesign have been an AR5/ATV launch from the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CGS) into an orbit inclined at 51.6 degrees. The APM has a length equivalent to 5 double racks and a net launch mass of 1200 kg. It will be delivered to the SSF at an altitude of 407 km for a 10-year operational life. Safe disposal will be by ATV.
