Introduction of Commonality for Design, Procurement and Verification of the ECLS Subsystems of the Columbus Orbitial Facility and the Mini Pressurized Logistics Module

Synergy between space programmes offers the chance to significantly reduce cost, shorten project schedules and allow an efficient use of available development resources. The Columbus Orbital Facility (COF) of the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Mini Pressurized Logistics Module (MPLM), of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) are of sufficient similarity in module size, external interfaces, internal configuration and required performance, that the synergy between the two programmes can be established for essential functions in the specific area of the Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) Subsystem.