The Japanese Experiment Module, nicknamed Kibō, is a Japanese science module for the International Space Station developed by JAXA. It is the largest single ISS module, and is attached to the Harmony module. The first two pieces of the module were launched on Space Shuttle missionsSTS-123 and STS-124. The third and final components were launched on STS-127.
The PM is the core component connected to the port hatch of Harmony. It is cylindrical in shape and contains twenty-three International Standard Payload Racks, ten of which are dedicated to science experiments while the remaining 13 are dedicated to Kibō's systems and storage. The racks are placed 6-6-6-5 along the four walls of the module. The end of the JEM-PM has an airlock and two window hatches. The exposed facility, experiment logistics module, and the remote manipulator system all connect to the pressurized module. Kibō is also the location for many of the press conferences that take place on board the station.
Exposed facility
The exposed facility, also known as "Terrace", is located outside the port cone of the PM. The EF has 12 EFU ports that attach to PIU connectors on EF-EEUs. All experiment payloads are fully exposed to the space environment. For proper functioning of these experiments, the payload requires an ORU which consists of the EPS, CT and the TCS. Of the 12 ORUs, eight are replaceable by the JEMRMS while the other four are EVA-replaceable.
Experiment logistics module
The experiment logistics module includes two sections:
The pressurized section – also called the JLP – is a pressurized addition to the PM. The module is a storage facility that provides storage space for experiment payloads, samples and spare items.
The unpressurized section serves the EF as a storage and transportation module.
Remote manipulator system
The remote manipulator system is a long robotic arm, mounted at the port cone of the PM, intended to service the EF and to move equipment from and to the ELM. The RMS control console was launched while inside the ELM-PS. The main arm was launched with the PM. The small fine arm is long and attaches to the end effector of the main arm, was launched aboard HTV-1 on the maiden flight of the HTV spacecraft. Once HTV docked the small fine arm was assembled by the crew and deployed out the airlock to test it. Once deployed outside the JEMRMS grappled it and unfolded the arm to flex the joints before stowing it onto the exposed facility. The free end of the JEMRMS is able to use the type of grapple fixtures that the Canadarm2 uses.
Launch sequence
launched the JEM complex over three flights using the Space Shuttle. The shuttle had a large payload bay which carried the modules into orbit along with the crew. This is in contrast to the Russian modules, which are launched into orbit on multistage Proton rockets and then rendezvous and dock with the station automatically. On 12 March 2007, the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section, the main laboratory, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center from Japan. It was stored in the Space Station Processing Facility until launched into orbit aboard as part of the STS-123 mission. On 30 May 2003, the Pressurized Module arrived at KSC from Japan. It was stored at the Space Station Processing Facility until launched into orbit aboard as part of the STS-124 mission. On 3 June 2008, the PM was attached to the Harmony module. At first the ELM-PS, the small cargo bay, was connected to a temporary location on Harmony and later, on 6 June 2008, was moved to its final berthing location on top of the main laboratory. The EF and ELM-ES arrived at KSC on 24 September 2008. The Exposed Facility and ELM-ES were launched on STS-127, on 15 July 2009. The ELM-ES was brought back to Earth at the end of the mission. The assembly of the EF was completed during the fifth spacewalk of the mission.
Specifications
Kibō is the largest single ISS module:
Pressurized module
* Length:
* Diameter:
* Mass:
Experiment logistics module - Pressurized Section
* Length:
* Diameter:
* Mass:
The module and all its integrated accessories were manufactured at the Tsukuba Space Center in Japan. It is made from stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum.
Current external experiments on ''Kibō''
MAXI - X-ray astronomy from 0.5 to 30 keV. Exposed Facility Slot 1.
OCO-3 - Monitoring of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere using a flight spare from OCO-2. Exposed Facility Slot 3 port originally held SMILES.
NREP - Nanoracks External Platform. NREP-2 is the current mission on this pallet. Exposed Facility Slot 4.
i-SEEP - IVA-replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform. Mounted to Exposed Facility Slot 5. It is a platform to support small-to-medium payloads. Experiments on the i-SEEP platform are HDTV-EF2, GPSR/Wheel, and SOLISS.
HISUI - Hyperspectral Imager Suite replacement for HREP which ended its mission in 2017. Exposed Facility Slot 8 port originally held MCE.
CALET - CALorimetric Electron Telescope, observation for high energy. Launched aboard HTV-5. Mass: 2500 kg. Exposed Facility Slot 9 port originally held SEDA-AP.
ExHAM 1 and 2 - External Facility Handrail Attach Mechanism. Mounted to the deck on handrails in the forward and aft locations next to slots 7 and 10.
