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The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Thermal Control System (TCS) has the task to ensure the required internal environment at level of pressurized module and to thermally control the not pressurised modules and installed equipment, using passive and active control means, in response to the relevant applicable requirements. The ATV vehicle is assially subdivided into three main modules: the Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC), the Equipped Avionics Bay (EAB) and the Equipped Propulsion Bay (EPB). Each of these modules present elaborated and specific thermal design solutions, to satisfy the different required operative tasks. The extensive thermal analysis campaign performed at ATV vehicle level and in progress for the next Qualification Review (QR) to justify and support the thermal control design solutions and verification status is described.

In the frame of the International Space Station (ISS) development plan, TAS-I was in charge of manufacturing, integrating and testing several manned modules like American USOS MPLMs, Nodes 2, Node 3 and Cupola in addition to the European manned modules Columbus and ATV. Based on the current ISS assembly sequence, Cupola, which is considered a US Governed Furnished Equipment (GFE) of Node 3, will be launched mated to the Node 3 active axial port in the NSTS 20A mission, beginning 2010. After NSTS docking and Node 3/Cupola berthing to N1 Port port, Cupola will be moved and permanently located to the N3 Nadir port to support ISS operations (e.g. Japanese HTV docking maneuvers to N2). Thermal design for Cupola consists of passive protections from launch up to its permanent location and active/passive controls when permanently mated to N3.