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| Leonardo -- A Space Age Moving Van |
| Payload Bay |
| 9,000 pounds (almost 4.1 metric tons) |
| Overview |
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The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), which was built by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), is the first 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 Leonardo module began in April 1996 at the Alenia Aerospazio factory in Turin, Italy. Leonardo was delivered to Kennedy from Italy in August 1998 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, Leonardo 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. In order to function as an attached station module as well as a cargo transport, Leonardo 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, Leonardo 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 Leonardo from the payload bay and berth it to the Unity Module on the ISS. During its berthed period to the station, system racks and individual components will be transferred to the ISS. After Leonardo is unloaded, used equipment and trash will be transferred to it from the station for return to Earth. The Leonardo 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, Leonardo is independent of the shuttle cabin, and there is no passageway for shuttle crewmembers to travel from the shuttle cabin to the module. Leonardo 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 six ISS system racks, three resupply stowage racks, four resupply stowage platforms, and the first scientific experiment rack. Of the six systems racks, two racks contain power distribution equipment to support laboratory payloads. This equipment includes DC to DC Conversion Units (DDCU) and Remote Power Control Modules (RPCM). Two of the racks contain the Robotic Work Station (RWS) required for controlling the space station robotic arm which is scheduled to arrive on Flight 6A. One rack contains the remaining hardware required to activate the Ku-Band Communication system and additional Avionics to support the Computer system. The sixth rack contains crew health care equipment including a defibrillator and a respirator support pack. The first experiment Rack called HRF#1 (Human Research Facility #1) is also contained within Leonardo. This rack contains the first experiments to be performed on the ISS. The HRF rack will be used to conduct human life science investigations. Although the rack will be mounted in it's permanent location during the mission, it will remain inactive until after the shuttle leaves. There are also 7 Resupply Stowage Racks (RSR) and Resupply Stowage Platforms (RSP) within the MPLM. These 7 racks contain equipment required for crew rotation, 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 Leonardo Module and are returned to Earth with the shuttle. |
Editorial/Technical Comments: ShuttlePresskit
