Shuttle And Station Crews Install Cargo Module Leonardo

(NASA) – STS-128 Pilot Kevin Ford and Expedition 20 Flight Engineer Mike Barratt used the station robotic arm to move the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) from Discovery’s payload bay to the Earth-facing port on the station’s Harmony module. Mission specialists Christer Fuglesang of the European Space Agency and Tim Kopra assisted with the attachment and activation activity.

The MPLM is carrying 15,000 pounds of supplies and equipment for use on the station, including more science facilities. The crew will spend the next several days unloading the hardware.

Crew members take a look inside the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) shortly after hatch opening. Credit: NASA TV

The first spacewalk of the STS-128 mission is set for Tuesday. Mission Specialist Danny Olivas and Flight Engineer Nicole Stott will head outside the station to begin the task of replacing an empty ammonia tank assembly. They’ll also be retrieving two science experiments that have been attached to the station’s exterior and transferring them to the shuttle’s cargo bay for return to Earth.