A service module is a self-contained unit used in spacecraft or space stations for various purposes such as accommodation, storage, and propulsion. They can be launched and re-entered, and designed for multiple configurations. Service modules can be expensive, and weight is an important consideration. They are used in projects such as the International Space Station and can be designed for cargo or for astronauts with different compartments and features.
A service module is a unit in a fully autonomous spacecraft or space station. The module may include avionics and equipment, propulsion systems, accommodation and supply storage. Such units may be capable of being launched and re-entered to allow space agencies to reuse them, and can be configured in a variety of ways. A number of nations have produced service modules for use on spacecraft and projects such as the International Space Station (ISS).
Like other projects designed for deployment in space, a service module can be an expensive undertaking. Designers develop self-contained systems to protect content, including life support for service modules used to house personnel or projects that require astronauts inside, such as science labs. It must be able to withstand a considerable force during launch and, in the case of equipment designed for reentry, must also have systems in place to support a safe return to Earth.
On the International Space Station, service modules supplied by participating nations were used to build an orbiting research facility. The modular design allowed for a growing facility to be built, rather than limiting development to a single launch. Service modules added to the ISS may include features that allow them to be reconfigured in the future to accommodate new components. You can also use them for different tasks. A cargo hold, for example, could be converted into a workshop if it was designed for multiple configurations.
Within a service module there may be one or more compartments with different characteristics. Some are designed entirely to carry cargo and can be very large to accommodate large items. Others contain life support systems, propulsion and controls and fit into other modules to support a spacecraft or space station. Modules designed for astronauts may have command centers, living quarters, and facilities for eating, conducting experiments, and so on.
Weight is an important consideration in the design of the service module. Sending anything into space is extremely expensive, and the planners want to make sure every pound counts. Excess weight in projects can be eliminated in a variety of ways and interior space can be designed for multipurpose uses and configurations to make it more useful. A service module with limited applications may be too expensive to start and maintain, as the profit from use may not balance with the design, construction, and startup expenses.
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