Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules

There are 3 of these modules, Italian built (Thales Alenia Space) but US owned. They contain life support systems and are intended for use much like that of a "moving van". They are transported to the space station by shuttle, docked just any other component module of the ISS, then returned to Earth on the shuttle. Cargo can be carried up to the space station, transferred into the station, then refilled with material intended for return to Earth.

The first MPLM is named Leonardo in honor of Leonardo da Vinci. A second module is named Raffaello after Raffaello Sanzio, and the third named Donatello for Donato di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi.

Credit: NASA	Leonardo in the shuttle bay. (click to enlarge)
Raffaello docked to the Unity Module, as seen from inside the ISS.	Credit: NASA

Leonardo flew as a MPLM on:
STS-102
STS-105
STS-111
STS-121
STS-126
STS-128
STS-131
STS-133 (launched as a Permanent Multipurpose Module)

Raffaello flew as a MPLM on:
STS-100
STS-108
STS-114

Donatello never flew a mission. Parts from Donatello were used on Leonardo to convert it to a Permanent Multipurpose Module which was launched with STS-133.

 

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Page last modified: 15 August 2015 19:56:15.