STS-135 Payloads

STS-135 Payload Configuration - Source: NASA

Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM)

The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) is a pressurized container that can be used on Space Shuttle Missions to transfer internal cargo to the International Space Station and back to Earth. An MPLM is carried in the Payload Bay of the Orbiter. After docking to the ISS, the MPLM is grappled by the robotic arm and unberthed. It is being moved to the designated location where it is bolted in place. Hatches between the Station and the MPLM are being openened and cargo can be transferred to and from the ISS: After transfer operations have been completed, the module is sealed up again and is reberthed in the Shuttle’s payload bay for its return to earth. Three MPLMs were built by the Italian Space Agency: Leonardo, Raffaello and Donatello. The Leonardo module was modified to stay attached to the ISS permanently. It was delivered to the ISS by Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-133 and became the PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module).

A total of ten MPLM missions have been flown to the ISS (+1 PMM Flight) the first one being STS-102 in March 2001. The MPLMs are owned by NASA. The Italian Space Agency is a contractor and receives science time on ISS in return. The names of all modules were chosen by the Italian Space Agency to pay tribute to persons of significance in Italian History. The MPLM is 6.4 meters long and 4.57 meters wide. It has a mass of 4,500 kilograms and 13,200 when it’s fully loaded.
On STS-135, the MPLM Raffaello will be flown to the ISS. It had its last flight on STS-114 in 2005. It will be its 4th flight.
The MPLM will have 16 resupply and science racks on board which is the maximum it can handle. In addition to that, there is stowage placed in the endcone of the MPLM. STS-135 will fly the MPLM at 97% of its capacity.

The MPLM Raffaello prior to its maiden voyage in 2001 - Photo: NASA

The MPLM will contain 6 Resupply Stowage Racks, 8 Resupply Stowage Platforms and 2 International Standard Payload Racks. In ddition to that, 400 pounds of stowage items will be placed in the Aft End Cone of Raffaello.
The mission timeline shows 122 hours of MPLM transfer operations. To unload Raffaello, 58 hours will be required. Putting all downmass payloads into the MPLM will add up to 72 hours to that number. 90% of return mass could be accomplished with about 120 hours of total transfer time. Teams desire to add 1 docked day to the mission to allow more time for MPLM transfer, so that all items can be loaded for re-entry. This decision is expected as late as Flight Day 5.
Russian ISS Astronauts will also help with transfer operations for around 25 hours during the docked mission.

Raffaello in the ISS Processing Facility during processing for STS-135 - Photo: NASA

STS-135 MPLM Specifications

Upmass: 25,478lbs
Downmass: 21,769lbs

Lightweight Multi-Purpose Equipment Support Structure Carrier

A Lightweight Multi-Purpose Equipment Support Structure Carrier (LMC) is a external platform that can be transported to space in the Space Shuttle’s Payload Bay. It can carry experiments and equipment to a destination in space, like the International Space Station. The first time the LMC flew was on STS-108 in 2001.
The LMC will also fly on STS-135 to bring the RRM to the ISS and transport a failed Ammonia Pump Module Assembly (PMA/PM) to allow extensive failure analyses on earth.

LMC before STS-131 with an Ammonia Tank Assembly on top - Photo: NASA

LMC Launch Configuration - Source: NASA STS-135 Press Kit

LMC Return Configuration - Source: NASA STS-135 Press Kit

STS-135 LMC Specifications

Upmass: 2,977lbs
Downmass: 3,560lbs

Robotic Refueling Mission

This payload was developed at the Goddard Space Flight Center. It will be carried to the ISS on the LMC and will be transferred during EVA-1 when it will be mounted on a temporary platform. RRM is designed to demonstrate the technology of refueling satellites in orbit robotically. NASA aims to be able to refuel satellites that weren’t even designed for this kind of on orbit servicing. After proof of concept with the RRM, NASA plans to use this technology commercially. The RRM includes four separate tools that are equipped with cameras, lights, pump controllers and various electrical systems as well as sensors to measure different parameters.
The spacewalking Astronauts on STS-135 will deliver the payload to Dextre’s Enhanced Orbital Replacement Unit Temporary Platform (EOTP) where it will stay until the Shuttle departs the ISS. It will then be relocated by Canadarm 2 to its permanent location on ExPRESS Logisitcs Carrier 4.

RRM during STS-135 Payload Processing - Photo: NASA

Once ready for operations, RRM will be used with help of the Dextre Robot. It will use the tools of RRM to perform tasks that would be required to refuel a satellite, such as cutting thermal blankets or wires, removing protective caps, hooking up the fuel valve and establishing fuel as well as transferring fuel from one tank to another.
The first tool of the RRM, the Wire Cutter and Blanket Manipulation Tool, will be used to cut through any tape or thermal insulation blankets that are covering the fuel cap to allow it to be removed. A Multifunction Tool will remove and capture the cap. Another cap releasing tool, the Safety Cap Removal Tool, removes and captures the safety cap and seal that are used on satellites as a redundant fuel seal mechanism. The final tool is the Nozzle Tool which essentially connects the fueling vehicle to the satellite using a quick disconnect fitting. The device is capable of opening and closing the fuel valve. After refueling is completed, the QD Fitting is left behind to make future refuelings easier.
NASA will perform a complete refueling operation using equipment that has been previously used on orbiting satellites. When all objectives are met, Dextre will perform additional tasks that involve spacecraft avionics. RRM is capable of performing the demonstration tasks at least 6 times. The ultimate goal is to develop procedures to refuel and repair satellites robotically thus extending their lifetime and cutting launch costs for replacement satellites.
All operations that will be conducted as part of RRM will be controlled by several ground control centers, the ISS crew is not involved in the tests.

Artist's Impression of the SPDM (Dextre) using the RRM during a demonstration test.
The ELC-4 is clearly visible as the structure RRM is mounted on. Dextre is based on the Canadarm 2 for this test.
Source: NASA

This artistic impression shows one of Dextre's arms with the Wire Cutter and Blanket Manipulation Tool attached to it. Dextre approaches one unit of the RRM to perform a task using the particular tool. Also visible are the cameras and LED that allow Mission Controllers to get a real time look at the Robot's actions.
Source: NASA

The RRM Box will be delivered to the ISS by Mission STS-135. It has various refueling components and activity boards as well as a fluid transfer system installed on it. The four tools that Dextre will use to operate the Box are inside this actual payload housing.
Source: NASA

RRM Specifications
Dimensions: 43"x33"x45"
Mass: 550lbs

PICOSAT

Pico Sat Solar Cell is a small 5 x 5 x 10 inch satellite that weighs about 10 pounds. It transmits and receives signals from ground stations. The PSSC will provide a testbed to gather data on new solar cell technologies. The PSSC project will demonstrate a responsive space flight capability for testing new solar cell technology and gather data before the launch of new satellites using this new solar technology as power source. Results of this project will provide a better understanding of the durability of different solar cell materials when those are exposed to the environment of space. The PSSC Satellite will be able to follow ground commands and it will transmit scientific data to ground stations.
The satellite will be deployed from a SSPL5510 (a reusable launcher) that is mounted on the sidewall of the Orbiter's Payload Bay. The satellite will be released by the flight crew that has to flip a switch on the flight deck of the Shuttle. Following the deployment, the Picosat will be powered on automatically. PICOSAT Deployment is currently planned for Flight Day 12.

Image: NASA

Source: NASA

Water

During the docked phase of STS-135, water generated by the Orbiter's Fuel Cells will be transferred to the ISS. 31 Water containers will be filled and moved.

Other Middeck Payloads

GLACIER (Freezer Module) for Medical Samples

The Glacier (General Laboratory Active Cryogenic on ISS Experiment Refrigeration) is a experiment storage freezer which is used to keep reagents and samples in a controlled environment. It is divided into 4 separate compartments; these can be operated at different temperatures. The combined compacity of all segments is 300 litres. Currently temperatures of +4°, -26°C and -80°C are used aboard the ISS. A Glacier unit weighs about 730kg and is designed to have a lifetime of 10 years. Glaciers are also used to transport samples to and from the ISS in a temperature controlled environment. STS-135 will swap its GLACIER with one GALCIER that was installed on ISS for the past few years. It will be launched unpowered and the ISS Module will be powered up after it was installed on the Middeck since it will bring back medical samples from the Station.

2 CGBAs (Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus) for Bio experiments that need a thermally controlled environment. (-10°C to 37°C)
3 AEMs (Animal Enclosure Module)

The Animal Enclosure Module is capable of providing living space, food, water, lighting and waste management to living occupants. It keeps the animals and their waste completely isolated from the Space shuttle's crew compartment. STS-135 will support the Mouse Immunology Experiment.

STL (Space Tissue Loss) Hardware
Reaction Self Test
ARFTA - Advanced Recycle Filter Tank Assembly

Advanced Replacement Unit for the ISS Urine Processing Assembly that will be used to collect residue that is left after the UPA has extracted water from the Astronaut's urine.

Bisphosphonates

This study will determine the treatment success of bisphosphonates combined with in-flight exercise as opposed to exercise alone on bone loss in microgravity.

Myco-2 - Mycological Evaluation of Crew member Exposure to ISS Ambient Air

Myco is a medical experiment that focuses on risks of microorganisms' inhalation by breathing and ahesion to the skin while exposed to ISS Air. Samples from crew members will include skin as well as samples from the nasal cavity and the pharynx. These samples will be brought back to earth to gain insight into risks that ISS Air presents to its inhabitants.

Micro-4

This experiment will examine the effects of space flight and microgravity on cell biology. It will provide data that will give further insight into cellular factors that contribute to crew health risks when exposed to the space environment.

NLP Vaccine (National Laboratory Pathfinder)

Within the NLP Hardware, microbes are grown in a space environment. The microbes that are less potent after their stay in space are likely to be selected for vaccine development here on earth. Pathogenic microbes and Caenorhabditis elegans worms are launched separated from each other. They are serially mixed, grown and fixed before landing. Once the experiment is returned to earth, analysis of virulence is performed in a laboratory.

BRIC SyNERGY

The Biological Research In Canisters (BRIC) - Symbiotic Nodulation in a Reduced Gravity Environment provides a storage container for experiments that focus on the effects of space flight on small specimens. The experiment will launch in eight canisters that contain seedlings. These will grow on orbit and six of the eight canisters will be fixed prior to de-orbit. The canisters will be separated into two groups, one returns at ambient temperatures, the other group is put into a cold bag to come back to earth at 4°C.

DECLIC (Device for Study of Growth and Liquid Reviews)
FOB - Forward Osmosis Bag

This experiment evaluates the flux of water across a membrane in microgravity. It also evaluates effects of mechanical mixing upon flux rate.

Cube Lab Modules 7 and 8

The Cubelab Module 7 mixes three liquids in microgravity to provide information on their behaviour when exposed to each other. Cube Lab 8 will process biological samples.

Various transfer Materials for ISS
2 iPhone 4s

30 Hours of Middeck Transfer Time to transfer 2,000lbs of materials are scheduled for STS-135.

Pump Module (Downmass Payload)

On August 1, 2010 one of two external cooling loops failed, leaving the ISS with only half its nominal cooling capability. The problem was isolated to an Ammonia Pump Unit on the outside of the Station. These pumps circulate the ammonia through the Station’s cooling loops to establish stable cooling. Several systems onboard the ISS had to be shut down reducing redundancy in some systems and costing valuable science experiment time and loss of science return. A series of Spacewalks were conducted by crewmembers Doug Wheelock and Tracy Caldwell Dyson in an effort to replace the failed pump with a spare module that was delivered to the ISS on one of the ExPRESS Logistics Carriers that the Space Shuttle brought up. Issues with quick disconnects and resulting ammonia leaks interrupted procedures during the first EVA. The crew had to go through decontamination operations to ensure that no ammonia would be taken inside the Station’s Airlock. That EVA was conducted on August 7. The second spacewalk was performed 4 days later and successfully removed the defect pump assembly and the team temporarily stowed it on the Mobile Base System (MBS) Payload ORU Accommodation (POA). During EVA 3, the new module was installed and the cooling loop was topped of with ammonia. ISS systems were powered up once again and normal operations were fully restored.
Technicians on the ground had the long desire to take the PM back to earth to take close look at it to determine what caused the failure. For these failure analyses, the Pump will be installed on the LMC during an EVA while Space Shuttle Atalntis is docked to the ISS. Atlantis will then bring the module back to the Kennedy Space Center.

The failed pump is being removed by Doug Wheelock
Photo: NASA TV

The spare pump module that is currently operating cooling loop A on ISS
Photo: NASA Media Resources

Configuration for the return of the module - Source: NASA TV

Internal Downmass Payload

Inside the MPLM, various internal parts and materials as well as ISS waste will be returned to Earth. A troublesome Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) Heat Exchanger (HX) will be on the MPLM for the return trip and further failure analyses on Earth.

MPLM Raffaello is being inspected by the STS-135 crew; All major transfer operations will take place here once the vehicle is in Orbit
Photo: NASA Kennedy