抄録
SIMPLE (Space Inflatable Membranes Pioneering Long-term Experiments) is one of the five mission payloads of MCE (Multi-mission Consolidated Equipment), which is among the series of Expose Facility experiments on Japan Experiment Module (JEM) in ISS (International Space Station). MCE was launched on board HTV-3 in July 2012 and was installed to the Exposure Facility. Following the checkout operations of the MCE, SIMPLE bus system went under initial workout. SIMPLE consists of three experimental sub-mission equipments: IEM (Inflatable Extension Mast), IST (Inflatable Space Terrarium), and IMP (Inflatable Material Panel). After the initial workout of the SIMPLE equipment, the extension of IEM was performed on August 17, 2012, followed by the deployment of IST, and the start-up of IMP monitoring, all in success. The details of the sequence throughout the development to initial on-orbit experimental phase of the SIMPLE project are given. The experiments are now under way in the steady operational phase. The current status and issues are briefly outlined.
