[SIMPLE (MCE)]
Space Inflatable Membranes Pioneering Long-term Experiments

Earth and Space Science

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SCIENCE OBJECTIVES FOR EVERYONE

The Multi-mission Consolidated Equipment (MCE) investigation consists of five small unique instruments that are located at Equipment Exchange Unit (EER) site 8 on the Japanese Experiment Module - Exposed Facility (JEF). These small investigations include two atmospheric observation investigations that study lightning and resonant scattering from plasma and airglow through the rim of the atmosphere, and three technological demonstration investigations that include inflatable structure deployment, robotic tether movement and the testing of a high definition television (HDTV) camera in the space environment. Several photos taken by a digital still camera from the CUPOLA window give IMAP investigation further observation data and enhance research outcome (A-IMAP/Earth Rim observation).

Experiment Description

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

The Multi-mission Consolidated Equipment (MCE) is a conglomeration of five unique investigations into a single payload assembly.
IMAP (Ionosphere,Mesosphere,upper Atomosphere, and Plasmasphere mapping) studies the energy and plasma activity and related global transportation near the rim of atmosphere, at the highest altitudes, using a visible light spectrometer.
GLIMS (Global Lightning and sprIte MeasurementS on JEM-EF) investigates the spatial distribution of lightning and plasma phenomena and their discharge characteristics throughout the atmosphere during night observation times.
SIMPLE (Space Inflatable Membranes Pioneering Long-term Experiments) collects fundamental engineering data in orbit for inflatable space structures; with the expectation of applying such information to the design of future space structures.
REXJ (Robot Experiment on JEM) demonstrates realtime ground control of a robotic system by providing validation data during robotic manipulation. This investigation is expected to lead to an application of an EVA assistant type robot.
HDTV acquires data for evaluating how long a COTS-HDTV (COTS HTDV Verification) survives in the orbit environment. This evaluation includes a validation for inexpensive space HDTV systems.
A-IMAP makes imaging observation of the airglow and aurora using a digital camera operated by an astronaut to elucidate the structures and dynamics of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Coordinated observations with IMAP are carried out to investigate the common target.

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