As of 5:46 a.m. EDT on May 19th, AMS-02 is securely positioned on the International Space Station (ISS). This milestone comes four days after the Endeavour launch on Monday, May 16th, at 8:56 a.m. EDT. The installation of AMS-02 on the ISS involved a complex operation, culminating in its activation on the space station.

The journey began on Flight Day One (FD1) when AMS-02 was first activated a few hours after launch. During this initial phase, data transmission was verified, and temperature measurements were taken at various locations within the experiment, confirming that the temperatures were within the expected ranges. Due to the minimal power usage by AMS-02, the Orbiter’s cryogenic systems remained in excellent condition.

Docking of the shuttle to the ISS took place on Flight Day Three (FD3) at 6:15 a.m. EDT. Following this, the Express Logistics Carrier-3 (ELC-3) was transferred to the ISS. The critical installation of AMS-02 began at 3:00 a.m. EDT on Flight Day Four (FD4). The Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), commonly known as the Shuttle robotic arm, initiated the grappling of AMS-02. With the experiment powered down, it was unberthed (the remotely operated electrical umbilical was removed) and maneuvered out of the payload bay into the handoff position. At this point, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), or ISS Canadarm, took over and moved AMS-02 to its permanent location on the exterior of the Station.

These operations were expertly executed by four astronauts: Roberto Vittori and Drew Feustel operated the Shuttle arm, while Gregory Johnson and Gregory Chamitoff managed the ISS arm. Once hooked to the ISS arm, AMS-02 was supplied with 2 Amps of power from the SSRMS to control its heaters. Three hours after the operation began, the capture was completed with the closing fixture latched securely.

Shortly after the capture was completed, Professor Samuel Ting exchanged a few words with the STS-134 crew, expressing his gratitude for their efforts. “You made a great contribution to our understanding of the Universe,” said the Nobel laureate. He also looked forward to seeing the crew in Geneva at CERN.

Now, AMS-02 is situated on the S3 truss payload attach site and is fully operational, gathering data as intended. This marks the beginning of a new scientific endeavor. The AMS-02, with its advanced capabilities, will significantly contribute to our understanding of cosmic rays, dark matter, and the fundamental particles that make up the universe. The successful installation and activation of AMS-02 is a testament to international cooperation and the relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge.

This event signifies not just the physical installation of a scientific instrument, but the dawn of a new chapter in space exploration and astrophysics. The AMS-02 will provide invaluable data, helping scientists unravel the mysteries of the cosmos and advancing our knowledge of the universe. The successful deployment and activation of AMS-02 on the ISS represents a triumph of human ingenuity, collaboration, and the quest for knowledge that knows no bounds.