MPLM Flight Model 1

Integration of the first Mini Pressurised Logistics Module (MPLM) Flight Model (FM1) in Alenia Aerospazio's cleanroom in Turin, Italy. The Italian space agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), is providing three reusable MPLMs to NASA under a bilateral agreement for transporting International Space Station (ISS) equipment and supplies. Alenia's Space Division is responsible for the design, development and construction. Each 4.6 m diameter, 6.5 m long, 4685 kg MPLM will accommodate up to 9 t of cargo in 16 standard payload racks, and be carried to and from the station in the Space Shuttle's cargo bay. First flight is expected in mid-1999; up to five missions are expected annually once the station is complete in 2003. The MPLM will be attached to the ISS for crews to use the 40-inch (101.6-cm) hatch, seen here at left. MPLM's environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) will allow two astronauts to work inside simultaneously. The same structure will be used for ESA's Columbus Orbital Facility (COF) general-purpose laboratory module for ISS. In return, ESA is providing the ECLSS for MPLM. [Image Date: 1997] [98.07.002-004]