MPLM - FLEXIBILITY IN PRESSURIZED CARGO TRANSPORTATION

The Mini Pressurized Logistics Module (MPLM) will support the Internat ional Space Station (ISS) programme by providing accommodation for pre ssurized cargo necessary to accomplish both the assembly and the utili sation phase. The design and development of the MPLM is based on paylo ad accommodation ''flexibility'' and minimal on-ground reconfiguration . One of the most important tasks of the MPLM design activity is to im plement the interface requirements between the MPLM and the payloads w hile still satisfying the functional interfaces with the Space Station and the NSTS. The three MPLM units to be delivered to NASA will be ab le to support the necessary functions for assisting active payloads, t ogether with storage for passive payloads. Today, the MPLM programme i s undergoing the test campaign, while the design can be considered 90% completed and baselined. The paper will describe the MPLM design pecu liarities in providing accommodation ''flexibility'' and the ability t o support active missions in the NSTS as well as at the Space Station. in addition, the present status of the MPLM programme is summarised a t two years from the delivery of the first unit scheduled for March 19 98. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.