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CIR Rack |
The Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) features a 100-liter combustion
chamber surrounded by optical and other diagnostic packages including
a gas chromatograph. Experiments are conducted in the chamber by
remote control from the Telescience Support Center (TSC) or the
Principal Investigator's (PI's) home institution. The CIR is the
only rack on ISS dedicated to combustion experimentation.
The CIR provides up to 90% of the
required hardware to perform a majority of future microgravity combustion
experiments on board the ISS. The remaining 10+% of hardware
will be provided by the PI hardware development teams. PI-specific
hardware, such as MDCA will be launched separately from the CIR
and integrated with the CIR on orbit. A significant amount
of PI hardware is expected to be reused for follow-on experiments.
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CIR Rack
populated |
The
CIR consists of the following major subsystems and components: International
Standard Payload Rack (ISPR); Passive Rack Isolation Subsystem
(PaRIS); Optics Bench on slides that tilts out of the ISPR; Combustion
Chamber with replaceable windows; Fuel and Oxidizer Management
Assembly (FOMA), including a gas supply package, exhaust vent system
and gas chromatograph; Modular, replaceable Science Diagnostics;
Environmental Control Subsystems, including water thermal control,
air thermal control, fire detection/suppression and gas interfaces; Electrical
Power Subsystem; Avionics Subsystems, including the CIR main
computer (Input/Output Package), image processing and storage units,
FOMA control unit and Station Support Computer; Flight and
Ground Software; Interfaces for replaceable, Experiment-Specific
Equipment.
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CIR
Rack with bench rotated |
The CIR design allows different experiment
packages within the combustion chamber to be removed, replaced or
upgraded. Modular diagnostics are mounted on the optics bench
and are easily repositioned. Five standard diagnostic packages,
constructed from modular elements, are planned as initial diagnostic
capabilities for the CIR. These are a High Bit Depth/Multispectral
Imaging Package (HiBMs), a High Frame Rate/High Resolution (HFR/HR)
Package, two Low Light Level Camera Packages, and an Illumination
Package.
The CIR and associated ground systems will offer
the Principal Investigators the opportunity to participate in the conduct
of their experiment on-board the ISS through remote operation and observation. Once
a test point has been completed, the PI can assess the results and provide
information for changes to the test matrix. Ground systems will
also enable scientists to interact with researchers at other locations. |
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CIR Assembly
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CIR Enviorment
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CIR Integration
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