Summary

Description	MS. STILSON: Chloe from Scranton asks why will the Space Station's robotic arm move the Raffaello module this time instead of how it was done in previous flights where the Space Shuttle's robotic arm was used. Is this a mechanical issue or related to a safety issue? MR. HIGGINBOTHAM: Well, that's an excellent question, Chloe. You're right. On all previous missions, we used the Shuttle's arm to lift the MPLM that was flying and pick it up and attach it to the node of the Station. However, on this mission, we're flying the Orbiter Boom Sensor System for the first time. This boom sensor system is mounted on the orbiter payload bay, on the opposite side from where the Shuttle arm is. And, unfortunately, it's in the way of the MPLM when it comes time to remove it and put it back in place. So on flight-day three, just right after we dock to the Station, the crew is going to use the Station arm to actually pick up the OBSS, hang it out in space, and hand it off to the Shuttle arm, which wil
Date	2005-07-15
Source	images.nasa.gov

Licensing

Public Domain (US Government Work)