Raffaello MPLM

Raffaello

Raffaello being prepared for flight on STS-100
Operator	NASA
Website	NASA MPLM
Mission duration	~2 weeks
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Raffaello
Spacecraft type	MPLM
Manufacturer	ASI
Dry mass	4,082 kilograms (8,999 lb)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Inclination	51.7°
Berthing

The Raffaello MPLM, also known as MPLM-2, was one of three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules which were operated by NASA to transfer supplies and equipment to and from the International Space Station. Raffaello was used for four of twelve MPLM flights to the space station, with Leonardo being used for the remainder. It was first launched on 19 April 2001, aboard the STS-100 mission flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour, and made its third flight in July 2005, aboard Discovery on STS-114. Raffaello's final flight was aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-135 mission, the last flight of the Space Shuttle.

In April 2023, Raffaello was transferred to Axiom Space to be repurposed and flown as part of Axiom Station.

Construction

Like the other Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules, Raffaello was constructed by the Italian Space Agency, who chose to name it after the painter and architect Raffaello Sanzio. The module was constructed in the late 1990s, and delivered to NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in August 1999.

Flights

The STS-135 crew inspects Raffaello.

Mission	Orbiter	Launch (UTC)	Landing (UTC)
STS-100	Endeavour	19 April 2001	1 May 2001
STS-108	Endeavour	5 December 2001	17 December 2001
STS-114	Discovery	26 July 2005	9 August 2005
STS-135	Atlantis	8 July 2011	21 July 2011

See also

• Permanent Multipurpose Module
• Leonardo MPLM