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| Raffaello -- A Space-Age Moving Van |
| Payload Bay |
| 9,000 pounds (almost 4.1 metric tons) |
| Overview |
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The Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), built by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), is the second of three such pressurized modules that will serve as the International Space Station's "moving vans," carrying laboratory racks filled with equipment, experiments and supplies to and from the International Space Station aboard the space shuttle. Construction of ASI's Raffaello module was the responsibility of Alenia Aerospazio in Turin, Italy. Raffaello was delivered to Kennedy Space Center from Italy in July 1999 by a special Beluga cargo aircraft. The cylindrical module is about 6.4 meters (21 feet) long and 4.6 meters (15 feet) in diameter. It weighs about 9,000 pounds (almost 4.1 metric tons). It can carry up to 20,000 pounds (9.1 metric tons) of cargo packed into 16 standard space station equipment racks. Although built in Italy, Raffaello and two additional MPLMs are owned by the U.S. They were provided in exchange for Italian access to U.S. research time on the station. The unpiloted, reusable logistics module functions as both a cargo carrier and a space station module when it is flown. To function as an attached station module as well as a cargo transport, Raffaello contains components that provide some life support, fire detection and suppression, electrical distribution and computer functions. Eventually, the modules also will carry refrigerator freezers for transporting experiment samples and food to and from the station. On this mission, Raffaello will be mounted in the space shuttle's payload bay for launch and remain there until after docking. Once the shuttle is docked to the station, the shuttle's robotic arm will remove Raffaello from the payload bay and berth it to the Unity Module on the ISS. During its berthed period to the station, two payload racks and individual components will be transferred to the ISS. After Raffaello is unloaded, used equipment and trash will be transferred to it from the station for return to Earth. The Raffaello logistics module will then be detached from the station and positioned back into the shuttle's cargo bay for the trip home. When in the cargo bay, Raffaello is independent of the shuttle cabin, and there is no passageway for shuttle crewmembers to travel from the shuttle cabin to the module. Raffaello will be filled with equipment and supplies to outfit the U.S. laboratory Destiny, which was carried to the International Space Station on STS-98 in February 2001. Of the 16 racks the module can carry, this mission brings four resupply stowage racks, four resupply stowage platforms, and two scientific experiment racks (Express Racks #1 and #2). Express Rack #1 and Express Rack #2 will add additional science capability to the ISS. The EXPRESS (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station) Rack concept was developed to support small payloads on orbit with a shortened ground integration period. The rack provides standard interfaces and resources for sub-rack payloads. It accommodates multiple payload disciplines and supports the simultaneous and independent operation of multiple payloads within the rack. The EXPRESS Rack is launched with the initial payload complement and remains on-orbit allowing payloads to be changed out as required. EXPRESS Rack #2 is the first ISS rack equipped with the Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS). ARIS is designed to isolate the experiment within the rack from vibrations occurring in the rest of the ISS. There are also four Resupply Stowage Racks (RSR) and four Resupply Stowage Platforms (RSP) within the MPLM. These eight racks contain equipment required for activation of the two EXPRESS racks and the ARIS system, components to augment existing ISS systems, spare parts for systems already on the station, in addition to food and supplies to support the crew. Resupply Stowage Racks and Resupply Stowage Platforms use Cargo Transfer Bags (CTB) to carry components to the ISS but the racks, platforms, and bags themselves remain in the Raffaello module and are returned to Earth aboard the shuttle. |
| History/Background |
| Raffaello is the second of three MPLMs supplied by the Italian Space Agency. The first, Leonardo, flew on STS-102 in March. |
Editorial/Technical Comments: ShuttlePresskit
