Columbus Environmental Control System Tests - Verification of ATCS and ECLSS Performance 2005-01-3117

Verification of the Integrated Overall Thermal Mathematical Model (IOTMM) is one of the last tasks in the thermal and environmental control area of the Columbus module. For this purpose a specific test covering as well thermal-hydraulic performance tests as Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) cabin temperature control functions has been defined and performed on the european Columbus Protoflight Model (PFM) in Bremen in 2003.

This Environmental Control System test was successful for all Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) related thermal-hydraulic functions and could provide sufficient data for a proper IOTMM correlation. However, it failed to verify the ECLS related functions as cabin temperature control and ventilation. Data, which have been generated during this first test, could not be used for a successful IOTMM correlation related to ECLS subsystem performance and modelling. Consequently, the decision taken by ESA and industry was to perform a re-test with sufficient fidelity in order to be able to verify the ECLS related functions and the relevant IOTMM submodels. For this purpose an adequate test setup had to be defined, configured and tested. Definition of the previously applied test cases had to be partly modified in order to cope with the influences due to this on-ground, 1-g environment test.

The present paper gives an overview on the different tests prepared, configured and conducted on the Columbus PFM in the frame of IOTMM verification.

Further on it provides lessons learnt for future ECS and thermal data collection tests to be performed in a 1-g environment on pressurized modules similar to the european laboratory unit.