EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to the Space Station

Facility Description

EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Racks are multipurpose payload rack systems that store and support research on the ISSInternational Space Station. EXPRESS Racks were developed by Boeing and are managed by NASA’s MSFC. EXPRESS Racks are operated by the Payload Operations Integration Center at MSFC. EXPRESS Racks have supported subrack payload operations since April 2001, totaling more than 1 million operational hours. EXPRESS Racks are located in the U.S. Lab, ESA Columbus Module and JAXA Japanese Experiment Module. The EXPRESS Racks provide structural interfaces, power, data, cooling, water, video, command and control, vacuum exhausting, nitrogen supply, and other resources needed to operate research in space. The EXPRESS Racks have standardized hardware interfaces that enable quick, simple integration of multiple payloads on the ISS. The EXPRESS Rack facilities remain in orbit continuously, and the experiments in the racks are replaced as needed, remaining on the ISS for several weeks to several years (depending on the experimental requirements). Each of the 10 EXPRESS Rack facilities can accommodate 10 small payloads, enabling the operation of up to 96 experiments at once. Payloads can be directly controlled by the ISS crew or remotely controlled from the ground. EXPRESS Racks accommodate single, double, quad, or larger middeck locker type payloads and 4 Panel Unit International Subrack Interface Standard (ISIS) Drawers. EXPRESS Rack provisions include onboard interfacing cables/hoses, one laptop per heritage rack, ISS Lockers, ISIS Drawers, electrical connectors/fluid QDs.