MPLM Qualification Module

Integration of the Mini Pressurised Logistics Module (MPLM) Engineering Qualification Model 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) experiments 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. The MPLM will be attached to the ISS for crews to use the 40-inch (101.6-cm) hatch, seen here with the technician crouching in front. 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] [98.07.002-002]