GENEVA, Switzerland -- A C-5M Super Galaxy, based out of Dover AFB, Delaware, is loaded with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer at the Geneva, Switzerland airport August 25. The AMS is the brain child of Nobel Laureate, Professor Samuel Ting and has been in production over the last 16 years. The purpose of the experiment is to detect and analyze particles found in space while docked to the International Space Station. According to Prof. Ting, this should help us better understand the universe and how it was created. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Scientists and engineers from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and NASA carefully load the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer onto a cargo truck for transport to the airport August 23 at CERN institute. The AMS is the brain child of Nobel Laureate, Professor Samuel Ting and has been in production over the last 16 years. The purpose of the experiment is to detect and analyze particles found in space while docked to the International Space Station. According to Prof. Ting, this should help us better understand the universe and how it was created. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Capt. Cory Damon, 9th Airlift Squadron C-5M pilot based out of Dover AFB, Delaware, speaks to scientists and engineers August 25 at Geneva Switzerland airport, about the C-5M Super Galaxy and how it is the perfect choice for transporting their Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. The AMS is the brain child of Nobel Laureate, Professor Samuel Ting and has been in production over the last 16 years. The purpose of the experiment is to detect and analyze particles found in space while docked to the International Space Station. According to Prof. Ting, this should help us better understand the universe and how it was created. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Master Sgt. Dan Devern, 9th Airlift Squadron, speaks to local news agencies about the Air Force's role in the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer mission August 25 in Geneva, Switzerland. The AMS is the brain child of Nobel Laureate, Professor Samuel Ting and has been in production over the last 16 years. The purpose of the experiment is to detect and analyze particles found in space while docked to the International Space Station. According to Prof. Ting, this should help us better understand the universe and how it was created. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Capt. Matt Matis, 9th Airlift Squadron, aircraft commander, speaks to the Armed Forces Network about his mission transporting the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer August 25. The AMS is the brain child of Nobel Laureate, Professor Samuel Ting and has been in production over the last 16 years. The purpose of the experiment is to detect and analyze particles found in space while docked to the International Space Station. According to Prof. Ting, this should help us better understand the universe and how it was created. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Staff Sgt. Bryan Muse, 9th Airlift Squadron, loadmaster, directs where a crate needs to be as it loaded onto a C-5M Super Galaxy August 25, in support of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. The AMS is the brain child of Nobel Laureate, Professor Samuel Ting and has been in production over the last 16 years. The purpose of the experiment is to detect and analyze particles found in space while docked to the International Space Station. According to Prof. Ting, this should help us better understand the universe and how it was created. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Tech Sgt. Jason Belcher, 9th Airlift Squadron, loadmaster checks the height of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer before loading it on the C-5M Super Galaxy August 25. The AMS is the brain child of Nobel Laureate, Professor Samuel Ting and has been in production over the last 16 years. The purpose of the experiment is to detect and analyze particles found in space while docked to the International Space Station. According to Prof. Ting, this should help us better understand the universe and how it was created. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane)

AMC flies giant research equipment across Atlantic

Published Sept. 1, 2010
By 1st Lt. Kathleen Ferrero
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

GENEVA, Switzerland -- It's the physics community's billion-dollar baby--a 7.5-ton device so powerful that it could rock the core of modern science and reveal a new chapter in the universe's history.

And the aptly-named C-5M Super Galaxy flew the device on its last terrestrial journey Aug. 26 before traveling on the final space shuttle mission to the International Space Station.
A team of internationally renowned physicists led by Nobel Laureate Professor Samuel Ting requested the U.S. Air Force's largest, newly remodeled airlifter to transport the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer from the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland to Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

"I'm very grateful the U.S. Air Force came to help us," Professor Ting said.

The particle detector is so large that, without the C-5, it would have required a certain level of disassembly for its flight, he said.

The breakthroughs in science that the AMS may be capable of are so important that hundreds of physicists from 16 countries came together to build it. Although the project is officially sponsored by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy, nations around the globe have collectively invested an estimated $2 billion to ensure its success.

The AMS team waited 16 years for the day they could accompany it to Kennedy Space Center.

"We're so honored to be on this flight," said Dr. Susan Ting, Professor Ting's wife and budget manager for the project. "To have the U.S. Air Force take us home is just ..." and she paused and smiled, then patted her hand over her heart.

Wonder plane

Soon after the Dover Air Force Base, Del., C-5M aircrew arrived in Geneva to pick up the AMS Aug. 25, they were approached by dozens of suit-wearing European scientists armed with personal cameras and questions.

"'M' is for movie?" joked one Italian physicist about the C-5's designator.

Prior to arriving in Geneva, the aircrew dropped supplies off in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 14-person team included active duty and Reserve Airmen working alongside one another. They said they all felt honored to support the historic event.

The mission was especially memorable for Capt. Matt Matis, who completed his check ride as aircraft commander during the trip.

As he took a break from escorting scientists inside the plane, Captain Matis said, "This is a great opportunity to showcase the aircraft and do something different. A lot of these people have never seen a C-5 before. They have a lot of questions about how it actually gets off the ground.

"They're as excited as we are, if not more."

One man, after being introduced to Captain Matis, said jokingly about the phrase painted on the side of the aircraft, "Instead of 'Spirit of Global Reach,' it should say 'Spirit of Global Research.'"

Dr. Don Erbschloe, Air Mobility Command's chief scientist, said, "I find it fitting that AMC's oversize cargo aircraft is delivering this device to another legendary transport--the space shuttle. NASA is watching this mission with great interest to see how they might use the C-5M more in the future."

Global Reach for Global Research

Professor Ting and his international team faced many trials through the years, including last-minute modifications and shuttle cancellation. But, he said he was determined to see the only physical science experiment on the International Space Station come to fruition.

During its 18 years of scheduled operation, the AMS is expected to use its magnetic detection powers to survey charged particles. While the European lab's Large Hadron Collider is famous for its ability to charge particles at extremely high energies; their levels are nothing compared to the energies of charged particles found in space and the stories they can tell.

"The cosmos is the ultimate laboratory," Professor Ting said.

But it's important to shed preconceived ideas, he said. For example, the Hubble Telescope's purpose was galactic survey by detecting light; and it stumbled upon the curvature of the universe and existence of dark energy.

Likewise, the hope is that the AMS will stumble upon unchartered realms.

"You always discover something new, and that's what it's all about," Professor Ting said.

The C-5M Super Galaxy

AMC began an aggressive program to modernize all remaining C-5Bs and C-5Cs and many of the C-5As in its inventory. The C-5 Avionics Modernization Program began in 1998 and included upgraded avionics, improved communications, new flat panel displays, improved navigation and safety equipment, and a new autopilot system. The first flight of the first AMP-modified C-5 (tail number 85-0004) occurred on Dec. 21, 2002.

Another part of the C-5 modernization plan is the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, or RERP, which includes new General Electric CF6-80C2 engines, pylons and auxiliary power units, with upgrades to the aircraft skin and frame, landing gear, cockpit and pressurization system.

The C-5 aircraft that undergo both the AMP and RERP upgrades are designated C-5M, also known as the "Super Galaxy." The Air Force plans to upgrade 52 Galaxies to "super" status by the end of 2016.