NASA asks for Crew Exploration Vehicle to be equipped with interface for connection to International Space Station
NASA has formally asked contractors to consider a 5m (198in)-diameter Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and is requiring an interface that can link to the Space Shuttle’s Androgynous Peripheral Assembly System (APAS) for docking with International Space Station.
Previously, NASA had specified a 5.5m-diameter CEV and an interface for its Low Impact Docking System (LIDS).
The agency is providing all the docking systems for CEV.
While March is the submision deadline bidders can supply material for the new requirements by 20 April.
“We are still planning to use LIDS for the lunar mission CEV, where the CEV is docked to the lunar surface module,” says Houston, Texas-based Johnson Space Center (JSC), which is leading CEV development. The changes were specified in an amendment, published on 9 February, to the CEV Phase 2 solicitation. The diameter change to the CEV means a height change and the amendment’s documents also describe changes to CEV rendezvous and real-time communication requirements.
The specification to the Shuttle’s APAS is the second addition of Orbiter technology for the CEV.
On 12 January JSC published its “high-temperature reusable surface insulation test samples” solicitation, stating it would buy Shuttle thermal protection system (TPS) tile material for the CEV for low Earth orbit re-entry (Flight International, 14-20 February). NASA Ames, however, is officially leading the work on CEV TPS development.
ROB COPPINGER / LONDON
Source: Flight International
