Fri, Jun 17, 2005
Cargo Loaded Onto Shuttle Discovery
The cargo for the Space Shuttle
Discovery's historic Return to Flight mission (STS-114) arrived
yesterday at Launch Pad 39-B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL.
Discovery's payload includes the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
Raffaello, the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support
Structure Carrier (LMC), and the External Stowage Platform-2
(ESP-2).
NASA's Italian-built Raffaello will carry 12 large racks filled
with food, clothing, spare parts and research equipment to the
International Space Station. Included in the cargo is the Human
Research Facility-2 that will expand the Station's capability to
support human life sciences research.
The LMC will deliver a Control Moment Gyroscope to replace an
inoperable one that failed in August 2002. Gyroscopes provide
attitude control for the Station keeping it properly oriented
without use of rocket fuel. A Thermal Protection System repair
sample box containing pieces of the Shuttle's heat-shielding tile
is also installed on the LMC. The samples will enable crew members
to test new on-orbit repair techniques.
The ESP-2 will carry replacement parts to the Station. The
platform will be deployed, attached to the Station's airlock, and
serve as a permanent spare parts facility.
Returning the Shuttle to flight and completing the Space Station
are the first steps in the Vision for Space Exploration, a stepping
stone strategy toward new exploration goals. Using the Station to
study human endurance and adaptation in space, and to test new
technologies and techniques, NASA will be prepared for longer
journeys on to the moon, Mars and beyond. Discovery's Return to
Flight mission is targeted for July 13 with a launch
planning window that extends through July 31.
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