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Human Research Facility-1 (HRF-1)
10.06.08
Scientists and payload developers can get more information on International Space Station research facilities by contacting the ISS Payloads Office or at 281-244-6187.

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Facility/Payload Overview

Brief Facility Summary

The Human Research Facility-1 (HRF-1) enables study of the effects of long-duration space flight on the human body. Equipment in the HRF-1 includes a clinical ultrasound and a device for measuring mass.

Facility Manager(s)

  • Cindy Haven, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    • Co-Facility Manager(s)

    Information Pending

    Facility Developer

    Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Information Pending

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    Facility/Payload Description

    Facility Summary

    • HRF-1 provides an on-orbit laboratory that enables human life science researchers to study and evaluate the physiological, behavioral, and chemical changes induced by space flight. Research performed with the HRF-1 will provide data relevant to human adaptation to long duration space flight.


    • HRF-1 consists of items mounted in a rack (based on the EXPRESS design) as well as equipment kept in stowage and brought out as needed.

    Description

    Human Research Facility (HRF-1) was launched aboard STS-102 (Discovery) on March 8, 2001. The HRF-1 drawers provide power, command and data handling, cooling air and water, pressurized gas, and vacuum to experiments. The ISS moderate temperature cooling loop is extended into the HRF to keep the racks at Station ambient temperature. The Avionics Air Assembly (AAA), which interfaces with the moderate temperature cooling loop, extracts heat from the air in the rack. Each payload can use up to 2000 Watts of cooling power. HRF-1 is connected to the Station's video services and Ethernet, which provides both the Station and ground operations crew with payload control. The rack has front panel access ports for the laptop, vacuum, and nitrogen delivery. HRF-1 houses many types of equipment. Descriptions are listed below:

    • The Ultrasound drawer holds ultrasound/Doppler equipment that has both research and diagnostic applications. This equipment provides color, two dimensional analog or digital images that can be downlinked for analysis. This equipment was used to support the ADUM investigation.


    • The Portable Computer is the platform used to install and execute software that supports various experiments. It is used to control equipment; to collect and store data, crew notes, and equipment notes; and to provide uplink and downlink capabilities.


    • The Workstation 2 is a state-of-the-art computer system that provides a platform for installation and execution of software that is used in various investigations. The Workstation is capable of data collection and archiving, downlink, display, video processing, graphics support, user and HRF Rack interface, crew notes and crew tests. It can be connected to one or more drawers in HRF-1 for use in experiments.


    • Two Cooling Stowage Drawers provide stowage for various equipment items. When operated, the drawers maintain a uniform temperature by removing the heat that is generated by the powered payloads that use HRF-1.


    • The SLAMMD (Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device) was installed in the HRF-1 during Expedition 11. SLAMMD measures the on-orbit mass of the crewmembers by applying Newton's Second Law of Motion (force is equal to mass times acceleration). This device can measure mass from 95 to 240 pounds by using the force generated by two springs located inside of the SLAMMD drawer. Each spring is attached to a cam that is attached to a centrally located shaft with a flywheel mounted on top of it. The cam is designed and constructed so that throughout the distance the springs stretch, a constant force will be applied the central shaft. The large flywheel has a lanyard wrapped around it which is then fed through a small slit on the SLAMMD front panel. The lanyard latches onto the SLAMMD guiding arm where the crewmember sits for a body mass measurement. Attached to the guiding arm is a leg support assembly around which the crewmember wraps his or her legs like one would for a leg curl machine, a belly pad to align the stomach against, and a head rest.
    HRF-1 was originally launched with the following components: Ultrasound, GASMAP (Gas Analyzer System for Metabolic Analysis Physiology), Portable Computer, Workstation, and the Cooling Stowage Drawers. During Expedition 11, GASMAP was moved to Human Research Facility-2 (HRF-2) and SLAMMD was moved to HRF-1 from HRF-2. During Expedition 13, the original Workstation was replaced with the Workstation 2.

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    Operations

    Facility Operations

    Payloads within the HRF-1 can operate independently of each other regardless of their cooling and power needs and flight schedule. The HRF power converter delivers 120 volts of direct current (DC) power from the utility outlet panel to the rack and converts it to 28 volts DC for distribution to the payloads. Payload computer and video operations can be conducted from the ground or on Station. The crew performs periodic checks of all connections and hardware, and performs payload operations as needed.

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Availability

  • Operated on ISS

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    Related Web Sites
  • ISS Medical Project

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications

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        Images

        imageNASA Image: ISS02E6028 - Human Research Facility-1 shown here after installation in the US Laboratory, Destiny, during Expedition 2.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS006E07133 - Astronaut Donald R. Pettit, Expedition 6 NASA ISS Science Officer, works to set up Pulmonary Function in Flight (PuFF) hardware in preparation for a Human Research Facility (HRF) experiment in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). Expedition 6 was the fourth and final expedition crew to perform the HRF/PuFF Experiment on the ISS.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS08E06860 - Expedition 8 Mission Commander (CDR) and Science Officer Michael Foale is shown here wearing the customized Lower Extremity Monitoring Suit (LEMS) and balancing on the footplate of a special track attached to the Human Research Facility (HRF) rack in the Destiny Laboratory to perform a calibration for the Foot Reaction Forces During Spaceflight (Foot) experiment.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS012E12597 - Astronaut Bill McArthur sets-up the Space Linear Acceleration Mass Measurement Device (SLAMMD) in the Destiny Laboratory during Expedition 12. The SLAMMD Guiding Arm, Leg Restraint and Head Rest are visible attached to the Human Research Facility Rack 1 (HRF-1).
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        imageNASA Image ISS013E38340 - View of Astronaut Jeffrey N. Williams, NASA Expedition 13 Space Station Science Officer, and Flight Engineer (FE), inserting a subrack payload into the Human Research Facility (HRF) in the U.S. Laboratory, Destiny.
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        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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