Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module
Interior of Leonardo

The Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) is a module of the International Space Station. It was flown into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-133 on 24 February 2011 and installed on 1 March. Leonardo is primarily used for storage of spares, supplies and waste on the ISS, which was until then stored in many different places within the space station. It is also the personal hygiene area for the astronauts who live in the US Orbital Segment. The Leonardo PMM was a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) before 2011, then was modified into its current configuration. It was formerly one of two MPLM used for bringing cargo to and from the ISS with the Space Shuttle. The module was named for Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci.

Like the other Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules, it was constructed by the Italian Space Agency, who chose to name it after Leonardo da Vinci.[1] Construction began in April 1996, and the module was delivered to NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in August 1998 by an Airbus Beluga aircraft.[2]

Previous proposals

A European proposal suggested equipping the Donatello MPLM with enhanced micrometeoroid/orbital debris protection and cooling systems, and leaving it attached to the ISS after the Space Shuttle fleet was retired. Costs for such MPLM modifications were estimated at $20M to $40M per unit. The MPLM would then be called a Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), and it would house spare parts and supplies, allowing longer times between resupply missions. The proposal was rejected by NASA because it would require changes to existing plans and would entail additional costs.[3] Internal discussions continued[4] and managers considered the possibility of STS-133, which at that time was planned to be the last Shuttle flight, leaving its MPLM permanently attached.[5] The United Launch Alliance also published a proposal for a system that could allow additional ISS modules to be launched on an EELV even after the retirement of the Shuttle.[6]

On August 5, 2009 it was announced that STS-133 would indeed leave one MPLM permanently attached to the station.[7] In October 2009, it was confirmed that Leonardo would be the MPLM converted to a PMM.[8] It was launched on February 24, 2011. The PMM was transferred to the station using the Shuttle robotic arm and mated to the nadir (Earth) facing port of Unity.

On May 27, 2015, at 13:08 UTC, the PMM was relocated from the nadir port of the Unity module to the forward-facing port of the Tranquility module. This was done in order to allow Unity's nadir port to serve as a berthing port for resupply craft, which in turn frees up Harmony's zenith port for future U.S. Commercial Crew Development spacecraft.[9]

After the re-location of Leonardo from the Unity module to the Tranquility module (which is where the toilet is located) in addition to its function as a storage module it is now the personal hygiene area for the ISS astronauts in the US Orbital Segment. Astronauts have much privacy in Leonardo and do sponge baths and change their clothes here.[10]

Leonardo might also be used on Axiom Station after the ISS is decommissioned.[11]

Modifications

PMM Leonardo at the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF).

After returning to Earth on April 20, 2010 at the end of the STS-131 mission, the Leonardo MPLM was moved to the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to undergo modifications. To convert the Leonardo MPLM into the PMM, NASA made the following modifications: removal of +Y grapple fixture (Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture, or FRGF), removal of ROFU (Remotely Operated Fluid Umbilical) components, replacement of CBM seal, installation of new forward end cone MMOD shields, feed through seal replacement, and installation of visiting vehicle retro-reflectors.

In addition, the Multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets from the never-flown Donatello MPLM were cannibalized for use on Leonardo. The blankets were removed and returned to Italy where they were reinforced with Nextel/Kevlar to provide better protection against micro-meteorites. The upgraded blankets were then installed on about two-thirds of Leonardo's surface area.[12]

The Leonardo PMM mass is 21,817 pounds (9,896 kg).[13]

As an MPLM

Leonardo
Leonardo being prepared for flight on STS-105
Module statistics
Part ofInternational Space Station
Launch date21:53:24, February 24, 2011 (UTC) (2011-02-24T21:53:24Z)
Launch vehicleSpace Shuttle/STS-133
BerthedMarch 1, 2011
Mass4,082 kg (8,999 lb)[1]
Length6.6 m (22 ft)
Diameter4.57 m (15.0 ft)
Pressurised volume31 m3 (1,100 cu ft)
References: NASA MPLM
10 March 2001 – The Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module rests in Discovery's payload bay in this view taken from the ISS by a crew member using a digital still camera during STS-102.

The Leonardo MPLM, also known as MPLM-1, was one of three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules which were operated by NASA to transfer supplies and equipment to and from the International Space Station. Leonardo was used for eight of the twelve MPLM flights to the space station, with Raffaello being used for the other four. It was the first MPLM to be launched, making its first flight in March 2001, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-102.

Flights

MissionOrbiterLaunch (UTC)[14]Landing (UTC)Remarks
STS-102Discovery8 March 200121 March 2001
STS-105Discovery10 August 200122 August 2001
STS-111Endeavour5 June 200219 June 2002
STS-121Discovery4 July 200617 July 2006
STS-126Endeavour15 November 200830 November 2008
STS-128Discovery29 August 200911 September 2009
STS-131Discovery5 April 201020 April 2010
STS-133Discovery24 February 2011N/ALeonardo was left on-station to become the PMM.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "What is MPLM?". NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  2. ↑ "Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules". International Space Station. NASA. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  3. ↑ Coppinger, Rob (2008-04-02). "NASA rejects European ISS logistics project". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  4. ↑ Coppinger, Rob (2008-06-24). "NASA: MPLM may stay on orbit, docking rules to change and launch-on-need re-designated?". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  5. ↑ Bergin, Chris (2009-05-05). "ISS considering the permanent attachment MPLM, advancement of STS-134". NASAspaceflight.com.
  6. ↑ Foster, Mark. "System-of-Space Systems Architecture Utilizing Existing Space Assets to Complete and Re-Supply the International Space Station" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  7. ↑ Gebhardt, Chris (2009-08-05). "STS-133 refined to a five crew, one EVA mission – will leave MPLM on ISS". NASAspaceflight.com.
  8. ↑ "Shuttle Q&A Part 5". NASASpaceflight.com. September 27, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Module Relocated Prepping Station for Commercial Crew | Space Station". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2015-05-27.
  10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snn1k_qEx20&t=34m11s . Courtesy of the European Space Agency, ESA. Retrieved 12 December 2020
  11. ↑ "Axiom Space Builds the World's First Commercial Space Station". Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Spaceflight Now | STS-133 Shuttle Report | Roomy addition for space station ready to launch".
  13. ↑ "STS-133 Press Kit" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  14. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
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