The Swingbed software applications provide for the control, command, fault detection, fault recovery, and telemetry monitoring aspects of the Amine Swingbed experiment. These software components are the Swingbed Loader Computer Software Configuration Item (CSCI), the Swingbed Control Module, and the Swingbed Ground Controller applications. As a whole, the Amine Swingbed experiment provides a means for investigating the removal of carbon dioxide from the International Space Station (ISS) crews’ breathing environment via a system of a vacuum-regenerated amine pressure swing absorption reaction beds. Its development and deployment aboard the ISS as an Express Rack pay-load serves to advance the use of the amine-based pressure swing absorption technology towards a level of technology readiness suitable for use in future space transportation systems, where the use of consumables for the removal of carbon dioxide from the breathable environment is not desirable.

The set of software components developed in support of the experiment serves to:

  1. Interface the command and data handling aspects of the Swingbed experiment to the ISS infrastructure via the ISS Express Rack resources and existing space communications network.

  2. Provide for the automated management and operation of the Swingbed experimental hardware installed as an Express Rack payload on the International Space Station.

  3. Provide for the configuration and control of the Swingbed experiment via ground commands originating from the Mission Control Center (MCC).

  4. Provide for the distribution of telemetry performance data from the experimental payload aboard ISS to experiment operators located in the MCC.

  5. Provide for the detection, isolation, and recovery of payload experiment faults internal to the experiment.

The Swingbed software is hosted on the Swingbed Control Module, which is primarily comprised of an in-house custom PowerPC Linux-based single-board computer. Swingbed software was protected from having safety-critical functionality by a layered approach. There are independent systems starting at the ISS vehicle level, down to Swingbed Complex Electronics that provide independent monitoring and control of safety functions that can override the software’s behavior.

This work was done by Glen F. Steele, Ayman K. Qaddumi, and Adam H. Rawlin of Johnson Space Center. For more information, contact the JSC Technology Transfer and Commercialization Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 281-483-3809. MSC-25526-1