The Node 3 resource module plays a key role in the frame of the ISS in providing resources to the attached elements, berthing location to NSTS and crew habitable volume.
The Internal Environmental Control System (IECS), TCS and ECLSS, has coolant loops and equipments flown at temperature below the maximum dew point (60 °F) allowed by requirements; as a consequence a proper insulation design is needed to avoid moisture condensate formation.
Besides the respect of the basis requirement of preventing condensation, the insulation design shall meet several other requirements/design constraints like provide accessibility to items requiring inspection, robustness against incidental damages, good performances following exposure to vacuum conditions, axial continuity (absence of voids induced by displacement of adjacent mittens), easy reparability.
Dedicated tests have been performed to identify the best materials among several candidates for improvement of the Node 3 insulation design wrt the Node 2 baseline. Test results and relevant considerations are part of the paper.
The paper presents and describes the Node 3 IECS insulation design as synthesis point of experience gained on ISS modules (USL, N1, N2) and development tests carried on to refine the Node 3 insulation design.