Factors Affecting the Utilization of the International Space Station for Research in the Biological and Physical Sciences (2003) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 3-7
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From page 3... ...
The physical sciences received the majority of the cuts made in facilities and equipment for experiments. Two of the three materials science research racks planned for the ISS were canceled, along with all but two of the experiment modules for the remaining materials facility.
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The most widespread and significant impact of ISS design revisions on the achievement of scientific objectives stems from the more than 85 percent reduction in crew time available for scientific activities.' This limitation has an impact on every discipline examined, ranging from a potential total elimination of the ability to achieve even a modicum of meaningful work on the ISS in the areas of radiation biology, systems physiology, crew behavior and performance, and fundamental biology, to lesser impacts on disciplines such as plant science, materials science, fundamental physics, combustion science, and fluid physics. Even these potentially less seriously affected fields will probably sustain significant negative impacts when they are forced to compete with the remaining scientific complement for the minimal time available.
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From page 5... ...
The factors cited above, when combined with the poor track record of NASA and the ISS in meeting schedule, budget, and scientific performance targets, further detract from the ability of the ISS to garner the support of the scientific community. The uncertainty and instability in the ISS program are disincentives to participation by both established and next-generation scientists, whose careers can be seriously damaged by the failure of the ISS program to provide the promised scientific opportunities.
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From page 6... ...
This is not sufficient to take advantage of even the reduced scientific capabilities of the Core Complete ISS. According to NASA, the factor currently limiting the crew size to three is the inability, in the event of an on-board emergency, to deorbit more than three crew members due to the limited capacity of the Soyuz and the indefinite postponement of the planned Crew Return Vehicle.
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From page 7... ...
The additional cost to increase the crew number to seven has been estimated at approximately $5 billion (IMCE, 20011.3 This 20 percent increase in development cost would yield a 900 percent increase in the crew time available for research (4.5 versus 0.5 crew available for scientific activities)
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