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Discovery To Bring "Plug and Play" Micro-Lab To ISS

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-isn't-that-special dept.

astroengine writes "In an effort to standardize the way we do microgravity experiments, a Kentucky-based non-profit organization has developed the 'CubeLab' (a modular, miniature laboratory) that can be plugged into a rack of 15 other CubeLabs. The first set of micro-labs will be carried to the space station by the shuttle Discovery on Monday morning's launch. The CubeLab's small design allows it to be easily shipped to and from the space station, providing a faster pace of experimentation. Also, its 'plug and play' interface means installation is a breeze. Even better is the fact the CubeLabs are developed by Kentucky students, university researchers and enthusiasts. Now they've teamed up with the Houston-based NanoRacks LLC; could this be the future of space research collaboration?"

5 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Looks like MS has done some amazing things with Internet Information Systems... it's a shame really. This stuff seems like it's work better on the International Space Station. Oh well!

  2. Re:What do they do up there? by djjockey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't they already have like a dozen modules for doing experiments that they hardly use?

    Seems like IIS and ISS have more in common than you'd think.

  3. Not much choice but to go small by sznupi · · Score: 4, Informative

    The Shuttle is going away, and with it one of the very few ways of transporting big equipment racks up & down.

    All current vehicles servicing ISS don't have the large berthing ports; Shuttle also doesn't have one...but it could carry multipurpose cargo module (equipped in one) in its bay. Soyuz, Progress, ATV, upcoming Orion...their docking ports are small. Japanese transport vehicle does have the big berthing port (and also upcoming Dragon & Cygnus), but it's good to have options...

    --
    One that hath name thou can not otter
  4. Re:Why the tortoise loses in real life by cyber-vandal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yes it's amazing how private enterprise, only 50 years after NASA first put someone in space has managed to build a spaceship that hasn't actually put anyone in space yet. Hooray for the free market!

  5. Re:Why the tortoise loses in real life by grimJester · · Score: 4, Informative

    In addition, the first man in space was Juri Gagarin, put there by the communist Soviet Union. Private enterprise may be the future of space travel, but it has little to do with the history.