The Habitation Extension Modules (HEM) refers to proposed British-built modules designed to connect to

Node 3 ''Tranquility'', also known as Node 3, is a module of the International Space Station (ISS). It contains environmental control systems, life support systems, a toilet, exercise equipment, and an observation Cupola (ISS module), cupola. The Eu ...

(Tranquility) of the

International Space Station The International Space Station (ISS) is a large space station that was Assembly of the International Space Station, assembled and is maintained in low Earth orbit by a collaboration of five space agencies and their contractors: NASA (United ...

. They were conceived by a consortium of engineers and scientists led by Mark Hempsell, aeronautical engineer at the

University of Bristol The University of Bristol is a public university, public research university in Bristol, England. It received its royal charter in 1909, although it can trace its roots to a Merchant Venturers' school founded in 1595 and University College, Br ...

History

The proposal has no formal support of the British government, , but if funded the modules were intended to be launched sometime in 2011. The purpose of the modules is to provide a formal British presence in the ISS project, which to date has been nonexistent (Britain is not an independent ISS partner, and does not contribute through

ESA The European Space Agency (ESA) is a 23-member international organization devoted to space exploration. With its headquarters in Paris and a staff of around 2,547 people globally as of 2023, ESA was founded in 1975 in the context of European ...

). The HEM would be British-built modules designed to connect to

(''Tranquility'') of the

. They were conceived by a consortium of engineers and scientists led by Mark Hempsell, aeronautical engineer at the

. The two modules will provide of living space with enhanced radiation protection, and allow the astronaut crews an enhanced amount of social and personal living space on board the platform. The two modules are named HEM 'C' and HEM 'D'. HEM 'C' is designed to contain a

wardroom The wardroom is the mess, mess cabin or compartment on a warship or other military ship for commissioned naval Officer (armed forces), officers above the rank of midshipman. Although the term typically applies to officers in a navy, it is also ...

arrangement of a viewscreen with a central table for group meetings and conferences with Earth. HEM 'D' would contain improved sleeping and personal work arrangements. HEM 'D' features six separate compartments which each contain a small sleeping area (), a foldaway desk, and a small amount of space for personal effects and other items. From a personal privacy point of view, it affords each crew member an area where they can close a door and be entirely private from the rest of the crew, where they can dress and undress, or perform other acts of a personal nature. The estimated cost of the modules is £600 million, spread out over the course of 6 or 7 years and takes into account the costs of construction, launching and maintenance.

References

External links

Habitation Extension Module at the University of Bristol
{{ISS modules Components of the International Space Station Space programme of the United Kingdom

History

See also

References

External links