JAM (Quest)

JAM (Quest) [NASA]

The Quest or JAM (Joint Airlock Module) is a pressurized flight element consisting of two cylindrical chambers attached end-to-end by a connecting bulkhead and hatch. Once installed and activated, the airlock becomes the primary path for International Space Station space walk entry and departure for U.S. spacesuits, which are known as Extravehicular Mobility Units, or EMUs. In addition, the Joint Airlock is designed to support the Russian Orlan spacesuit for EVA activity.

The JAM has a length of 5.5 meters, a diameter of 4 meters, a weight of 6,064 kilograms and a volume of 34 cubic meters.

The Joint Airlock acts as a stowage area for EMU hardware as well as a staging area for crewmembers preparing to conduct a space walk. A combination of the Russian depress pump and pressure equalization valves located within the hatches accommodate the depressurization/pressurization capability of the airlock. The addition of the airlock permits space station-based space walks to be performed without major loss of environmental consumables such as air.

The Joint Airlock was attached to the station on the morning of 15 July 2001.