Did
you know?
Not
all payloads are carried to orbit in
the Shuttle's cargo bay. In-cabin payloads are carried in
the Shuttle's middeck. Cargo bay payloads are typically large
payloads, such as satellites and Space Station modules, which
do not require a pressurized environment. In contrast, in-cabin
payloads are generally smaller, and are not usually designed
for an unpressurized environment like the cargo bay.
The
15-ton S1 Integrated Truss Segment (ITS) is 45 feet long
and 15 feet wide. Similar in size to the S0 truss that was
installed during STS-110, the S1 truss is about as long
as a charter bus and as wide as the interior cabin of a
767. It arrived
at KSC on October 7, 1999 and began preparations
for launch.
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STS-112
Payloads
International Space Station Flight 9A
S1
Truss
STS-112's primary payload is the S1 (S-One) Truss, which will
be attached to the International Space Station and outfitted
during three spacewalks. The S1 is 13.7 meters (45 feet) long
and weighs about 13.6 metric tons (15 tons). It will be the
second component of the 11-piece Integrated Truss Structure
and will allow for the outward expansion of the station. The
S1 will be attached to the S0 (S-Zero) Truss' starboard side.
The
large truss contains: a new external cooling system for the
station that is slated to be activated in 2003; a second S-Band
communications system to provide enhanced and extended voice
and data capability; a cart that will serve as a mobile work
platform for future spacewalkers; two new external television
cameras; and the first Thermal Radiator Rotary Joint, which
will provide the mechanical and electrical energy for rotating
the station's heat-rejecting radiators based on various system
requirements.
The
S1's attachment to the station is slated to occur during Flight
Day 4.
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