A Multi Purpose Space Carrier in a rapidly evolving scenario. MPLM Operations: ISS past, present and future
- Paper number
IAC-07-B3.3.04
- Author
Mr. Cesare Capararo, Altec S.p.A, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Armando Ciampolini, Altec S.p.A, Italy
- Coauthor
Mrs. Silvana Rabbia, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Marino Crisconio, Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italy
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The ISS has a long history of continue evolution and rapid changes of configuration, assembly and final characteristics. Such changes vary from the initial assembly complete configuration conceived in early 90’s, and still valid at the time of first assembly flights, to the recent decision of retiring the Space Shuttle and to dramatically reduce the number of assembly missions, that has influence on the final ISS characteristics and the operational concept of the ISS after assembly completion. In this frame, the concept of a flexible carrier like MPLM was and is an example of the success that may derive from choosing a system conceived for a range of objectives and situations. MPLM had no difficulties in adapting to the changing scenarios thanks to both its design characteristics and its operational flexibility:
- The design characteristic of a module capable of flying with almost any cargo configuration and with similar characteristics of the other ISS inhabitable elements allows it being suitable for almost any ISS reconfigurations.
- The operational flexibility, including the choice of providing engineering and mission support from a remote Center, ALTEC, that was built from the beginning to be compatible with both the NASA and the other ISS Partners standards, allows being suitable for almost any operational and mission control scenario.
Finally, this flexibility is now of interest of the ISS community as a possible mean to solve the latest issues of the ISS assembly, by exploiting both its logistics carrier characteristics and its similarity with the rest of the ISS modules: with limited enhancements the MPLM could become a permanent ISS element, without the need of adding assembly flights and still keeping its logistics function.
This paper shows the evolution of the way the MPLM has been operated during its seven successful missions, from STS102/5A.1 in March 2001 through STS121/ULF1.1 in July 2006, in conjunction with ISS configuration, assembly and operations modifications, and in occasion of the first and second Shuttle Return to Flight missions. It also shows how the lessons learned on the operational and design characteristics of the MPLM will be applied for the preparation of the next three MPLM missions planned to complete the ISS Assembly, and for the exploitation of MPLM to fulfill various operational and functional requirements that might derive from the new ISS final configuration and visiting vehicles scenario.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B3.3.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.