NASA's final room addition provides a massive zero-gravity closet
In short: Space is crowded, and for years, the International Space Station has struggled with limited floor space. A new permanent module, converted from a cargo pod, finally offers the crew a dedicated storage room large enough to house thousands of cubic feet of supplies while doubling as a laboratory.
On March 1, 2011, during NASA's STS-133 mission, the space shuttle Discovery delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to the International Space Station. This module was not built from scratch; it was converted from a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) originally named Leonardo. The Italian Space Agency built three of these cargo pods, which are roughly the size of a small bus and weigh approximately 28,353 pounds when fully loaded. The module's dimensions are approximately 21 feet long and 15 feet wide. It first flew into orbit in 2001. This specific voyage represented its eighth and final trip to space.
The installation marked a significant milestone as it was the final NASA room to be attached to the multinational laboratory. To prepare Leonardo for its permanent residency, engineers outfitted it with power systems and debris shielding.
It arrived at the station packed with about 6,500 pounds of cargo and was bolted into place on an Earth-facing port of the Unity node using a robotic arm. While primarily serving as a 'space closet' to provide over 2,470 cubic feet of storage, the PMM is designed for versatility. Beyond housing supplies, it will host experiments in fields such as biotechnology, biology, materials science, and fluid physics. This transition from a transient cargo pod to a permanent laboratory space allows the station to expand its research capabilities while solving the practical logistical challenge of cramped living quarters. Station controllers noted the module was bolted into place while flying over Turin, Italy. The installation occurred at 10:05 a.m. EST on flight day 6 of the mission.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Station Gets New Storage Module
- Also: Space Station Gets a Zero Gravity Storage Room
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