Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer
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The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) is a particle physics experiment that is to be mounted on the International Space Station designed to search for various types of unusual matter by measuring cosmic rays. Its experiments will help researchers study the formation of the universe and search for evidence of dark matter and antimatter.[1] It is uncertain if it will ever be launched, because it is not manifested to fly on any of the remaining Space Shuttle flights. Final assembly is however being completed in Geneva and delivery to Kennedy Space Center is expected to take place in late 2008.
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[edit] Development
It was proposed in 1995 (not long after the canceling of the Superconducting Super Collider) by particle physicist Samuel Ting, who went on to direct the development work of 500 scientists from 56 institutions and 16 countries.[2] With costs of $1.5 billion as of 2007, the New York Times called it "one of the most expensive scientific experiments ever built".[2]
[edit] Launch issue
NASA was to provide transport to the International Space Station on board of one of its space shuttles - an AMS prototype (AMS-01) went into space with flight STS-91 in 1998 - but after the 2003 Columbia disaster NASA decided to reduce shuttle flights and retire the remaining shuttles by 2010, with no room for AMS on the remaining flights.[2] In 2006 NASA studied alternative ways of delivering AMS to the space station, but they proved to be too expensive.[1] However, with the most recent reorganization of the Space Shuttle consolidated launch manifest,[3][4] the last currently planned Shuttle flight was moved up to July 2010. The possibility now exists for adding an additional mission to install the AMS module, paralleling NASA's reversal in approving a final Hubble servicing mission to be flown during 2008.[5] If it is to be installed on the International Space Station, then AMS (or AMS-02) would be mounted on top of the Integrated Truss Structure, specifically on USS-02 on the zenith side of the S3-element of the truss by means of the Payload Attachment System (PAS).[6]
U.S. Representative Dave Weldon has introduced H.R. 4837, known as the Space Act.[7] This legislation would keep the Space Shuttle flying past 2010 at a reduced rate until the Orion spacecraft is ready. It would allow both the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer as well as the completed-but-unused Centrifuge Accommodations Module to be launched to the ISS. The bill is currently in committee.[8]
The PAMELA satellite launched in 2006, a European-Russian collaboration, is carrying out some experiments similar to those planned on AMS, although AMS hopes to achieve a much higher sensitivity.[9]
[edit] Recent Developments
A bill proposed in May 2008 could enable NASA to launch the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to ISS on an extra shuttle flight in 2010 or 2011.[10] The bill will be voted on by the full House on June 11th.[11]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Marc Kaufman (December 2, 2007). The Device NASA Is Leaving Behind. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
- ^ a b c Dennis Overbye: Long-Awaited Cosmic-Ray Detector May Be Shelved. The New York Times, April 3, 2007
- ^ NASA managers juggle shuttle launch schedule again - NASA SpaceFlight.com
- ^ NASA - ISS Manifest
- ^ Atlantis gains Hubble servicing swansong - NASA SpaceFlight.com
- ^ Johnson Space Center. JSC - Phase II Safety Data Package 0 (PDF) 93,101. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
- ^ HR 4837 Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration Act. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ H.R. 4837: Space Act (GovTrack.us). Retrieved on 2008-03-28.
- ^ http://www.nature.com/news/2006/060612/full/060612-15.html
- ^ House Bill Would Authorize Additional Shuttle Flights. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ David Kestenbaum. (2008-06-10). NASA balks at Taking Physics Gear Into Space [Radio production]. Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
[edit] Further reading
- Sandweiss J. 2004. Overview of strangelet searches and Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer: when will we stop searching?. J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 30 S51-S59. doi:10.1088/0954-3899/30/1/004
[edit] External links
- AMS Homepage at CERN. Accessed 2 December 2007.
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