Utilization of ISS Destiny Lab and Astronauts for Installation and Complex Upgrade of the Cold Atom Lab Instrument

Cold Atom Lab (CAL) is a miniaturized multi-user quantum physics laboratory that utilizes ISS for microgravity based cold atom fundamental science experiments. The CAL instrument was installed on orbit by astronauts in May 2018, and then almost two years later was upgraded to replace the heart of the instrument known as the Science Module with an upgraded version that added atom interferometry capabilities.

 

In January 2020, the Cold Atom Lab team utilized ISS crew members to perform a complex instrument upgrade that spanned 12 procedures over 8 days to install Science Module 3 that was designed and built at JPL, and launched via SpaceX in December of 2019. These operations included many challenges such as extensive instrument disassembly, precision fiber optics demates/mates, and use of the ESA Columbus Module where the actual Science Module swap was performed. All steps of each procedure were coordinated live from a JPL control room where astronauts were guided through each step via space-to-ground voice communications from the CAL team.

 

The Science Module upgrade has been confirmed to be a successful demonstration of very complex crew activities on orbit, and serves as a pathfinder for similar upgrades of CAL and other instruments onboard ISS.