Why are these two cabinets called the "guardians" of scientific experiments on the space station?

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Author: China Science Expo

Producer: China Science Expo

Editor's note: In order to expand the boundaries of cognition, the China Science Popularization Frontier Science Project has launched a series of articles on the "Unknown Realm", which provides an overview of the exploration results that break through the limits in deep space, deep earth, deep sea and other fields. Let us embark on a journey of scientific discovery and get to know the amazing world.

In the vast universe, human beings have never stopped their journey of exploration. Starting from the earth, we look up at the starry sky, dreaming of uncovering the mystery of the universe and understanding the laws of its operation. Among them, the construction and operation of the space station provides humans with an unprecedented space scientific research platform. In addition to the cabinets for conducting space science experiments, there are two special cabinets to ensure the smooth development of scientific experiments. They are the on-orbit maintenance and adjustment cabinet, the scientific glove box and the low-temperature storage cabinet.

On-orbit maintenance and adjustment cabinet: the guardian of space scientific research

Although the scientific experiment platform in the space station is advanced, it is inevitable that it will malfunction or need maintenance during long-term operation. In order to ensure the continuity and stability of scientific research work, the on-orbit maintenance and adjustment cabinet came into being.

On-track maintenance and adjustment cabinet

(Source: CCTV News)

This experimental cabinet provides a spacious maintenance and operation space with a volume of more than 360 liters, which can meet many maintenance and repair needs such as payload preparation, adjustment, cleaning, welding, assembly, etc. Astronauts can perform mechanical or routine operations here, and carry out delicate operations with the help of the mechanical arm in the operation box, which maximizes the safety of astronauts.

In addition, the on-orbit maintenance and adjustment cabinet is also equipped with an intelligent guided maintenance system. Through augmented reality technology, maintenance information is superimposed on the real object. Astronauts only need to wear glasses to view the real object and get maintenance instructions at the same time, which greatly improves maintenance efficiency and accuracy.

Unlike other scientific experiment cabinets that have one or more fixed research themes, the on-orbit maintenance and adjustment cabinet does not have a very independent research direction. So what is its role?

In the past, when some equipment broke down, it was inconvenient for astronauts to repair and replace it on orbit. The on-orbit maintenance and adjustment cabinet provides a series of functions including structural installation, clean space processing, auxiliary operation of the manipulator, and corresponding vacuum, exhaust gas, and tool support. In this way, astronauts can replace, repair or operate other scientific experiment cabinets, including the payload devices of other space application systems.

In addition, this cabinet can also be used to repair large payloads outside the cabin. There is a platform in the cabinet that can be pulled out. When unfolded, it becomes a large flat plate of 900 mm by 700 mm. Large payloads outside the cabin can be fixed on this flat plate and then connected to a variety of load interfaces for corresponding maintenance operations.

Scientific glove boxes and cryogenic storage cabinets: the guardian of experimental samples

In the space station, samples from scientific experiments need to be properly protected and stored, so scientific glove boxes and cryogenic storage cabinets are indispensable experimental facilities.

Scientific Glove Boxes and Cryogenic Storage Cabinets

(Image source: Space Application Engineering and Technology Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

The scientific glove box provides a closed and clean operating space for scientific experiments. Astronauts can perform experiments with four gloves made of special materials on the glove box, which is flexible and safe. The glove box also has a quick replacement function and four windows, which facilitates astronauts to perform various experimental operations. In addition, a dexterous robotic arm and a micromanipulation system are installed in the glove box, allowing astronauts to perform more sophisticated experimental operations, such as extraction and injection of cell nuclei.

In order to ensure the effectiveness of the experimental samples after the experiment, the cryogenic storage cabinet is deployed in the experimental cabinet below the glove box. It can achieve three cryogenic storage modes of -80℃, -20℃ and 4℃, meeting the needs of different cryogenic storage conditions for biological, reagent, material and other samples. When the astronauts return to Earth after the flight mission, these well-stored samples will be delivered to the scientific researchers on the ground to further enhance their scientific research value.

Conclusion

The space variable gravity scientific experiment platform, on-orbit maintenance and adjustment cabinet, scientific glove box and cryogenic storage cabinet together constitute a powerful scientific experiment support system in the space station. They not only provide scientists with a powerful tool to explore the mysteries of cosmic gravity, but also ensure the continuity and stability of space scientific research. These facilities will play an even more important role in the future and reveal more mysteries of the universe for mankind.