|
|
|
|
| Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility (APCF) |
| SpaceHab |
| Prime: Chiaki Mukai |
| Backup: Pedro Duque |
| Overview |
| A veteran of four previous shuttle missions, the APCF provides a cooled and heated volume that permits growth of protein crystals in microgravity. The units are locker-insert payloads and have flown on SPACEHAB and Spacelab many times. The objective of the APCF experiment on STS-95 is to crystallize solution samples in orbital microgravity and to return them for post-flight analysis. On STS-95, SPACEHAB is providing both lockers. The units have very few crew controls and are largely automated. APCF will require about 30 minutes of crew time. During mission operations, the two APCFs, with reactors and sample materials, are inserted into SPACEHAB lockers and powered prior to launch. Once on-orbit, the Experiment Start switch command will start processing, which will progress automatically through the preprocess stages. Daily status checks will be carried out with LED status recorded on the FDF cue card. Near mission end, the Experiment Stop switch command will cause the facility to go into its post-processing stage, shut down, but remained powered. |
|
|
| Section Index | Main Index | Search | Contacts |
Editorial Contact Ed Campion
Technical Contact USA Web Master
