BISHOP AIRLOCK

The Commercial Gateway To Space

Nanoracks Bishop Airlock is the first permanent, commercial addition to the International Space Station (ISS) infrastructure. The Bishop Airlock offers 5x the current volume that can be moved in and out of the Space Station today.

Built and operated by Nanoracks, Bishop enables commercial utilization of the ISS to its fullest extent. Bishop’s unique bell-jar design allows this airlock to function in a multitude of ways, expanding the services we provide our customers every day in space. Bishop was designed to function today on the ISS, and tomorrow, detached and moved onto a Nanoracks Outpost.

Bishop is here to enable your technology

Bishop Operations

Satellite Deployment

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Payload Hosting

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Bishop Features

Payload Combination

Combine multiple microgravity payloads and satellite types in one Airlock sortie.

Supporting Spacewalks

Large equipment can now be robotically moved to the outside of the ISS, creating an external ‘toolbox’ for crew members on a spacewalk.

Infinite Pointing

No limit to pointing options while attached to CanadaArm2. Zenith, Nadir, Ram, Wake – tell us what you need.

Pressure Is On

Payloads can be operated in the vacuum of space or in various pressure conditions up to 14.7 psi.

Standardization

We stick to our principles. Standard rack and locker payloads. Similar electrical interfaces. The Mission Management you know and love.

Increased Throughput

Over 5x the volume of the current airlock on ISS. Up to 144U of payloads at once.

Bishop Configurations

Overview

Satellite Deployment

Payload Hosting

Microgravity Research

Bishop Configuration Overview

Bishop Overview Configuration

Numerous Deployment Configurations Bishop Airlock Satellite Combination Configuration

Nominal Payload Envelope

Maximum payload size 44.2″ x 44.2″ x 50″ and 709 lbs
Must fit through Node 3 Hatch
- 46″ if CPAs rotated and kick-plate installed (nominal)
- 50″ if CPA’s removed (premier)
Maximum 144U per Airlock sortie

Various satellite sizes can be hosted during one sortie. Can combine CubeSat deployer with multiple MicroSats. Deployment commands will be operated by Nanoracks Operations Team.

Learn more about deploying satellites from the Bishop Airlock.

Bishop Airlock Satellite Configuration Details

Six Hosted Payload Sites Available Bishop Overview Configuration-Hosted-Payloads

Pressurized or unpressurized launch opportunities available. Oceaneering GOLD 2 connector provides electrical, mechanical and robotic interface. Infinite pointing options while on the SSRMS (CanadaArm) – including Ram, Wake, Zenith, and Nadir.

Nominal Payload Envelope:

500 lbs (227 kg)
Exceedances may be considered on a case by case basis

Power: 120 VDC; 350 watts (nominal)

Maximum 700 watts but must coordinated with Nanoracks as total Airlock payload power available is 2.6 kW berthed and 1.8kW un-berthed – This is a shared resource so payload usage will be managed by Nanoracks.

Data: Ethernet protocol (nominal)

100 Mb/sec to Airlock avionics
Data rate from Airlock to ISS: 100 Mb/sec berthed (hardwired to Node 3); 10 Mb/sec un-berthed (WIFI)
Data rate to ground to be negotiated with NASA
Data storage capability within Airlock avionics

Redundant power and data interfaces

Redundant fiber optics and coaxial connections also available and terminated inside of Airlock pressure shell

Learn more about hosting payloads on the Bishop Airlock.

Microgravity Research Racks Bishop Airlock Microgravity Research

Nominal Payload Envelope.

Maximum payload size 44.2″ x 44.2″ x 50″ and 709 lbs
Must fit through Node 3 Hatch
- 46″ if CPAs rotated and kick-plate installed (nominal)
- 50″ if CPA’s removed (premier)

Power: 120 VDC; 350 watts (nominal)

Maximum 700 watts but must coordinated with Nanoracks as total Airlock payload power available is 2.6 kW berthed and 1.8kW un-berthed – This is a shared resource so payload usage will be managed by Nanoracks.

Data: Ethernet protocol (nominal)

100 Mb/sec to Airlock avionics
Data rate from Airlock to ISS: 100 Mb/sec berthed (hardwired to Node 3); 10 Mb/sec un-berthed (WIFI)
Data rate to ground to be negotiated with NASA
Data storage capability within Airlock avionics

Operations conducted by in the Nanoracks “Bridge” in coordination with NASA, crew, and customer.