Advanced Cosmic-ray Composition Experiment for Space Station: ISS accommodation study

ACCESS -- Advanced Cosmic-ray Composition Experiment for Space Station -- was selected as a new Mission Concept under NRA 96-OSS-03, with the goal of combining calorimeter and transition radiation techniques to provide measurements of cosmic rays from Hydrogen through Nickel up to energies approaching the "knee" in the cosmic ray all particle spectrum, plus providing measurements of the Z > 28 (Ultra-Heavy) nuclei at all energies. An instrument to perform such an investigation is undergoing an ISS/STS Accommodation Study at JSC. The instrument concept, the mission plan, and the accommodation issues for an ISS attached payload which include, in part, the carrier, ISS Site, thermal control, power, data and operations are described and the current status of these issues, for an ACCESS Mission, is summarized.