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The Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) features
a 100-liter combustion chamber surrounded by optical and other diagnostic
packages including a gas chromatograph. Experiments are conducted
in the chamber by remote control from the Telescience Support Center
(TSC) or the Principal Investigator's (PI's) home institution. The
CIR is the only rack on ISS dedicated to combustion experimentation.
The CIR provides up to 90% of the
required hardware to perform a majority of future microgravity combustion
experiments on board the ISS. The remaining 10+% of hardware
will be provided by the PI hardware development teams. PI-specific
hardware, such as MDCA will be launched separately from the CIR
and integrated with the CIR on orbit. A significant amount
of PI hardware is expected to be reused for follow-on experiments.
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CIR Rack |
The CIR consists of the following major
subsystems and components: International Standard Payload Rack
(ISPR); Passive Rack Isolation Subsystem (PaRIS); Optics
Bench on slides that tilts out of the ISPR; Combustion Chamber
with replaceable windows; Fuel and Oxidizer Management Assembly
(FOMA), including a gas supply package, exhaust vent system and gas
chromatograph; Modular, replaceable Science Diagnostics; Environmental
Control Subsystems, including water thermal control, air thermal control,
fire detection/suppression and gas interfaces; Electrical Power
Subsystem; Avionics Subsystems, including the CIR main computer
(Input/Output Package), image processing and storage units, FOMA control
unit and Station Support Computer; Flight and Ground Software; Interfaces
for replaceable, Experiment-Specific Equipment.
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CIR
Rack populated |
The CIR design allows different experiment
packages within the combustion chamber to be removed, replaced or
upgraded. Modular diagnostics are mounted on the optics bench
and are easily repositioned. Five standard diagnostic packages,
constructed from modular elements, are planned as initial diagnostic
capabilities for the CIR. These are a High Bit Depth/Multispectral
Imaging Package (HiBMs), a High Frame Rate/High Resolution (HFR/HR)
Package, two Low Light Level Camera Packages, and an Illumination
Package.
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CIR
Rack with bench rotated |
The CIR and associated ground systems will
offer the Principal Investigators the opportunity to participate
in the conduct of their experiment on-board the ISS through remote
operation and observation. Once
a test point has been completed, the PI can assess the results and provide
information for changes to the test matrix. Ground systems will
also enable scientists to interact with researchers at other locations. |
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CIR Assembly
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CIR Enviorment
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CIR Integration
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