SABL -- An EXPRESS locker-sized incubator for performing biological experiments onboard the ISS

The Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL) is an EXPRESS locker-sized incubator developed by BioServe Space Technologies for use on the International Space Station (ISS). SABL provides a 41.9 x 27.9 x 19.4 cm (16.6'' x 11.1'' x 7.8'', DxWxH) sized science research module (SRM) volume, which can be temperature-controlled from -5 to +43 °C. SABL improves over the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) in several aspects including higher thermal ramp rate, lower thermal gradients, enhanced experiment control, software adaptability, and crew interaction. SABL is designed to accommodate a variety of existing legacy life sciences hardware that was previously used with CGBA, enabling SABL to function as a flexible lab for biological experiments in microgravity. This paper focuses on the thermal design of the payload as well as on the verification testing of the engineering unit. The design process for SABL focused on minimizing thermal gradients within the SRM volume, improving thermal ramp rates between temperature set points, and eliminating the usage of forward facing cabin air exhaust systems that produce unacceptable acoustic noise. Temperature control of the SRM is accomplished using a total of four thermoelectric coolers (TECs) mounted to the top and bottom surfaces of the SRM. SABL utilizes the EXPRESS Moderate Temperature Loop (MTL) as a thermal sink for the TECs and avionics. Thermal feedback control and safety monitoring is implemented using a suite of sensors that interface to an NI sbRIO-9636 data acquisition and control computer. Performance of the engineering unit was characterized to verify thermal models of operation, cooling/heating times, and robustness against uneven internal heat loads and off-nominal operation. After starting development in 2011, the first two SABL units are manifested to launch to the ISS onboard SpaceX CRS-8 in the fall of 2015.     «

The Space Automated Bioproduct Lab (SABL) is an EXPRESS locker-sized incubator developed by BioServe Space Technologies for use on the International Space Station (ISS). SABL provides a 41.9 x 27.9 x 19.4 cm (16.6'' x 11.1'' x 7.8'', DxWxH) sized science research module (SRM) volume, which can be temperature-controlled from -5 to +43 °C. SABL improves over the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) in several aspects including higher thermal ramp rate, lower thermal gradients, enhance...     »