Service module

Aservice module(also known as anequipment moduleorinstrument compartment) is a component of acrewedspace capsulecontaining a variety of support systems used for spacecraft operations. Usually located in the uninhabited area of the spacecraft, the service module serves a storehouse of critical subsystems and supplies for the mission such as electrical systems, environmental control, and propellant tanks. The service module is jettisoned upon the completion of the mission, and usually burns up duringatmospheric reentry.

The Russian phrase forservice modulefor theSoyuz spacecraftis sometimes more directly translated "Instrument-Assembly Compartment". This comes from the design feature of having the guidance and other computer systems in a separate pressure chamber (the instruments) from the rocket engines, their propellant tanks, and the life support tanks (from the GermanAggregat,which gets translated "assembly" ). The Russians use the term "module" (модуль) primarily in regards to elements of a modularspace station,e.g. theZvezda Service Module.

Design

Depending upon the spacecraft architecture and system design, a typical service module usually contain the following:

• Fuel cells,solar panels,orbatteriesto provide electrical power to the spacecraft (batteries are also used in the crew capsule)
• Liquid hydrogen(LH₂) andliquid oxygen(LOX) for fuel cell operation and water production, with LOX also being used to provide breathing oxygen for the crew.
• Pressurizedheliumornitrogento force consumables and fuel from source tanks to their destinations.
• Guidance computer systems and related sensors
• Fuel and oxidizer forreaction controlandpropulsionsystems.
• Thermal control systems for proper heating and cooling of above systems.

While this would be used for a "baseline" service module, a service module may also be modified for additional functions. An example would be the equipment module onGemini 9,when it was modified to carry theU.S. Air Force-developedastronaut maneuvering unitthat would have been tested by astronautEugene Cernan,but was cancelled when his spacesuit overheated, causing his visor to fog up. But the best example would be the final three Apollo missions, in which the J-series service modules included scientific instrument module (SIM) bays that took pictures and other readouts in lunar orbit. In addition to the film cameras, similar to those used on theLunar Orbiterspacecraft and requiring the Command Module Pilot to perform a deep-space EVA during the return trip, two of the SIM bays, onApollos 15and16,also launched a lunar "subsatellite" before the astronauts performed the Trans-Earth Injection burn with the onboard service propulsion system.

A unique inhabitable variation of the service module concept is theFunctional Cargo Blockdeveloped for the SovietTKS Transport Supply Spacecraft.In addition to full functionality of a service module, it featured a sizeable pressurized cargo bay, and a docking port – as opposed to its conventional location on the front of the re-entry capsule, which in case of the TKS instead possessed its own downscaled service module with de-orbiting thrusters – allowing the FGB to remain docked as an extension of the space station.

Operating service modules

Zvezda (ISS module)

Main article:Zvezda (ISS module)

TheZvezda Service Module,is a module of theInternational Space Station(ISS). It was the third module launched to the station, and provides all of the station'slife support systems,some of which are supplemented in theUS Orbital Segment(USOS), as well as living quarters for two crew members. It is the structural and functional center of theRussian Orbital Segment(ROS), which is theRussianpart of the ISS. Crew assemble here to deal with emergencies on the station.Zvezdawas launched on aProtonlaunch vehicle on 12 July 2000, and docked with theZaryamodule on 26 July 2000.

Soyuz service module

Main article:Soyuz (spacecraft)

At the back of the Soyuz spacecraft is the Service Module. It has a pressurized container shaped like a bulging can (instrumentation compartment, priborniy otsek) that contains systems for temperature control, electric power supply, long-range radio communications, radio telemetry, and instruments for orientation and control. A non-pressurized part of the Service Module (propulsion compartment, agregatniy otsek) contains the main engine and a liquid-fuelled propulsion system for maneuvering in orbit and initiating the descent back to Earth. Outside the Service Module are the sensors for the orientation system and the solar array, which is oriented towards the Sun by rotating the ship.

Shenzhou service module

Main article:Shenzhou (spacecraft)

The aft service module of the Shenzhou spacecraft contains life support and other equipment required for the functioning of Shenzhou. Two pairs of solar panels, one pair on the service module and the other pair on the orbital module, have a total area of over 40 m2 (430 ft²), indicating average electrical power over 1.5 kW.

European Service Module (Orion)

Main article:European Service Module

TheEuropean Service Moduleis the service module component of theOrion spacecraft,serving as its primary power and propulsion component until it is discarded at the end of each mission. The service module supports the crew module from launch through separation prior to reentry. It provides in-space propulsion capability for orbital transfer,attitude control,and high altitude ascent aborts. It provides the water and oxygen needed for a habitable environment, generates and stores electrical power, and maintains the temperature of the vehicle's systems and components. This module can also transport unpressurized cargo and scientific payloads.

List of past service modules

Retired

• Vostok equipment module
• Voskhod equipment module
• Gemini equipment module
• Apollo Service Module
• Apollo Lunar Module descent stage

Canceled

• CSTS service module(canceled)
• Kliper service module(canceled)
• Hermes resource module(canceled)

See also

• Orbital module
• Reentry capsule
• Command module (disambiguation)
• Space capsule