MPLM Raffaello final assembly

The second Multi-Purpose Pressurised Module (MPLM) is seen almost completed in the cleanroom facilities of Alenia Aerospazio in Turin, Italy. Raffaello was delivered to NASAs Kennedy Space Center on 4 August 1999 by air direct from Turin, to begin processing for its first mission in mid-2000. The first MPLM, Leonardo, has been at KSC since August 1998. The third and final unit, Donatello, will be delivered in late 2000. The MPLM will be carried in the Space Shuttles cargo bay, delivering up to 9 tonnes of cargo to the International Space Station and returning experiment results to Earth. MPLM is a project of the Italian Space Agency, but ESA has provided the modules Environmental Control & Life Support Subsystem in exchange for using a derivative of MPLMs primary structure for the Agencys own Columbus module. [Image Date: 13-07-99] [99.07.006-008]