Raffaello MPLM
Encyclopedia
The Raffaello MPLM, also known as MPLM-2, was one of three Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
s which were operated by NASA
to transfer supplies and equipment to and from the International Space Station
. Raffaello was used for three of eleven MPLM flights to the space station, with Leonardo being used for the remainder. It was first launched on 19 April 2001, aboard the STS-100
mission flown by , and made its third flight in July 2005, aboard Discovery
on STS-114
. For the last time, Raffaello was launched aboard on the STS-135
mission, the last flight of the Space Shuttle.
Like the other Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules, Raffaello was constructed by the Italian Space Agency
, who chose to name it after the painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio
. The module was constructed in the late 1990s, and delivered to NASA at the Kennedy Space Center
in August 1999.
Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
A Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is a large pressurized container used on Space Shuttle missions to transfer cargo to and from the International Space Station . An MPLM was carried in the cargo bay of a Shuttle and berthed to the Unity or Harmony modules on the ISS. From there, supplies were...
s which were operated by NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
to transfer supplies and equipment to and from the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
. Raffaello was used for three of eleven MPLM flights to the space station, with Leonardo being used for the remainder. It was first launched on 19 April 2001, aboard the STS-100
STS-100
STS-100 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour. STS-100 installed the ISS Canadarm2 robotic arm.- Crew :- Mission parameters :* Mass:** Orbiter liftoff:...
mission flown by , and made its third flight in July 2005, aboard Discovery
Space Shuttle Discovery
Space Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011...
on STS-114
STS-114
-Original crew:This mission was to carry the Expedition 7 crew to the ISS and bring home the Expedition 6 crew. The original crew was to be:-Mission highlights:...
. For the last time, Raffaello was launched aboard on the STS-135
STS-135
STS-135 was the final mission of the American Space Shuttle program. It used the orbiter Atlantis and hardware originally processed for the STS-335 contingency mission, which was not flown. STS-135 launched on 8 July and was originally scheduled to land on 20 July 2011, but the mission was...
mission, the last flight of the Space Shuttle.
Like the other Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules, Raffaello was constructed by the Italian Space Agency
Italian Space Agency
The Italian Space Agency is a government agency established in 1988 to fund, regulate and coordinate space exploration activities in Italy...
, who chose to name it after the painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio
Raphael
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino , better known simply as Raphael, was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His work is admired for its clarity of form and ease of composition and for its visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur...
. The module was constructed in the late 1990s, and delivered to NASA at the Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
in August 1999.
Flights
| Mission | Orbiter | Launch (UTC) | Landing (UTC) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STS-100 STS-100 STS-100 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour. STS-100 installed the ISS Canadarm2 robotic arm.- Crew :- Mission parameters :* Mass:** Orbiter liftoff:... |
Endeavour | 19 April 2001 18:40:42 |
1 May 2001 16:11:56 |
|
| STS-108 STS-108 STS-108 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour. Its primary objective was to deliver supplies to and help maintain the ISS.... |
Endeavour | 5 December 2001 22:19:28 |
17 December 2001 17:56:13 |
|
| STS-114 STS-114 -Original crew:This mission was to carry the Expedition 7 crew to the ISS and bring home the Expedition 6 crew. The original crew was to be:-Mission highlights:... |
Discovery | 26 July 2005 14:39:00 |
9 August 2005 12:11:22 |
|
| STS-135 STS-135 STS-135 was the final mission of the American Space Shuttle program. It used the orbiter Atlantis and hardware originally processed for the STS-335 contingency mission, which was not flown. STS-135 launched on 8 July and was originally scheduled to land on 20 July 2011, but the mission was... |
Atlantis | 8 July 2011 15:29 |
21 July 2011 9:57 |