14 DAY TRIAL // According to officials at the European Space Agency (ESA), the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) is one of the most advanced and promising scientific experiments ever designed. The instrument, which was designed especially for studying dark matter, the elusive stuff that makes up much of our Universe, is scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) this year. It will be carried to the low-Earth orbit aboard space shuttle Endeavor, during the STS-134 mission that is scheduled for take-off on July 29, 2010.
The Agency announces that the AMS instrument arrived at the ESA Test Center (ESTEC), in the Netherlands, where it is going to be integrated in various experiments, and thoroughly put to the test. This stage in the mission is absolutely essential before the device is packed and shipped to the United States, for integration in the space shuttle. The ESA Directorate of Human Spaceflight manages the ESTEC, where the AMS will be investigated inside the Large Space Simulator (LSS).
This particular facility has played an instrumental role in assessing the flight readiness level of many of the satellites and spacecraft that ESA launched or delivered to its partners over the years. However, despite the level of experience the crew here has, the AMS remains one of the special instruments, which require a great deal of attention. There are a number of firsts that the detector is known for, including carrying the largest cryogenically cooled superconducting magnet ever flown to orbit. It is also famous for being the first magnetic spectrometer to leave the Earth aboard a shuttle.
“I just saw masterpieces of European technology taking off and being installed on board the ISS as I attended the launch and follow the mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour with Node-3 and Cupola. For all AMS represents to me as a physicist, with a responsibility for human spaceflight in Europe and as a European citizen, I couldn’t wait to see it coming through the ESTEC gate. It will be exciting to see it undergo testing and then head towards Kennedy Space Center to find its place on the Shuttle and later on the ISS,” the ESA Director of Human Spaceflight, Simonetta Di Pippo, says.
“Europe contributed to a large extent to the design and development of AMS and the mission will be even more special to Europeans because ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori will be flying with AMS on a flight opportunity from ASI. We are going through exciting moments and we move from one accomplishment to another. This is the best way to pave the way to the ISS extended operations through 2020 and beyond,” she concludes.