Unique Support Structure (USS)


The USS, or Unique Support Structure, is the backbone (or perhaps exo-skeleton) of AMS. It's the frame which has to support all 14,000 pounds of stuff. That's an easy job in space, where everything is weightless, but during launch, the USS has to support at least three times the rest weight of AMS. The USS is made of aluminum. It has some 17,000 holes in it to support detectors, tie down cables, etc.

That's not a big hole in the middle of the USS - that's where it attaches to the magnet vacuum case. The vacuum case itself is part of the support structure - it is not a tin can hanging off of the USS, it is part of the USS, it is a load-bearing member. This is an important weight-saving tactic; the electronics crates are also load-bearing elements that help AMS hold together.


Click here to return to the AMS tour Silicon tracker superconducting magnet superconducting magnet time of Flight counters tme-of-flight coutners Ring-imaging cerenkov counter electromagnetic calorimeter vacuum case Transition radiation detector anti-coincidence counter Anti-coincidence counter electronics racks electronics crates thermal control system Unique support structure Unique support structure Unique support structure cryocoolers cryocoolers