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Development of the Standard Interface Glovebox (SIGB) for use on Shuttle, MIR, and International Space Station
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English
Abstract
An innovative design that meets both Shuttle and Space Station requirements for a user-friendly, volume-efficient, portable glovebox system has been developed at Ames Research Center (ARC). The Standard Interface Glovebox (SIGB) has been designed as a two Middeck locker-sized system that mounts in a Middeck Rack Structure (MRS) or in any rack using the Standard Interface Rack (SIR) rail spacing. The MRS provides structural support for the SIGB during all aspects of the mission and is an interface consistent with NASA's desire for commonality of mechanical interfaces, allowing the SIGB to be flown on essentially any manned space platform.
The SIGB provides an enclosed work volume which operates at negative pressure relative to ambient, as well as excellent lighting and ample work volume for anticipated life sciences-related experiment operations inflight. The SIGB also provides a toxic chemical vapor scrubbing system to accommodate the necessary safety precautions associated with astronaut and cosmonaut crew members working with hazardous chemicals inflight.
Human Factors concerns were also addressed in the development of the SIGB. Close attention was given to the location and functional capability of controls, as well as the design of the overall shape to better accommodate the human operator in a microgravity environment.
The SIGB and MRS was manifested and flown on STS-81/Shuttle-Mir Mission-05 in January, 1997. The SIGB and MRS were deintegrated in-flight and transferred to the Russian Mir space station, where they were installed in the Priroda module.
This paper presents a technical overview of the SIGB, as well as an account of the design approach used in the development of the SIGB.
Authors
Citation
Hines, K., Snyder, T., Squires, D., Savage, P. et al., "Development of the Standard Interface Glovebox (SIGB) for use on Shuttle, MIR, and International Space Station," SAE Technical Paper 972310, 1997, https://doi.org/10.4271/972310.Also In
References
- Whitmore, M McKay, T. D. Mount, F. E. Ergonomic Evaluation of a Spacelab Glovebox International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 16 1995 155 164
- Prime Item Development Specification for the Standard Interface Glovebox NASA Ames Research Center 1995
- Science Requirements Document for the Standard Interface Glovebox NASA Ames Research Center 1995
- Savage, P. D. Jahns, G.C. Sytchev, V. Davies P. Briggs, R. Schaefer, R. Fundamental Biology Research During the NASA/Mir Science Program 25th International Conference on Environmental Systems 1995 SAE Technical Paper Series 951477