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1AR

Flight 2 - 2A

Launch Date:
4. Dec. 1998
Launch Vehicle:
US Space Shuttle STS-88
Elements:
Unity Node; 2 Pressurized Mating Adapters attached to Unity
  • Unity is launched p./img/assive with 2 Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMAs) attached and 1 stowage rack installed inside.
  • PMA-1 will connect US and Russian elements. PMA-2 provides a Shuttle docking location.
  • Eventually, Unity's six ports will provide connecting points for the Z1 truss exterior framework; U.S. lab; airlock; cupola; Node 3; and the MPLM as well as the Control Module.
Unity Node is a connecting p./img/assageway to living and work areas of the International Space Station. It will be the first major U.S.-built component of the station, joining Zarya (FGB). Unity Node will be delivered by the space shuttle with Pressurized Mating Adapter 1 prefitted to its aft port. The shuttle crew will conduct three spacewalks to attach PMA 1 to Zarya.

In addition to its connection to Zarya, the node will serve as a p./img/assageway to the U.S. laboratory module, U.S. habitation module and an airlock. It has six hatches that serve as docking ports for the other modules. 		Node-Module


Physical Description:
22 feet long, 14 feet in diameter.
Fabricated of aluminum.
Contains more than 50,000 mechanical items,
216 lines to carry fluids and gases,
and 121 internal and external electrical cables using six miles of wire.