STS-114 Payload

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STS-114 Payload (Discovery's "Return to Flight") / ULF-1

Space Shuttle Discovery STS-114 was the "Return to Flight" mission after Columbia's last flight. It was launched on July 26, 2005 on a mission to the International Space Station. It was a "test flight" to verify modifications made during the stand-down after the Columbia accident. This mission carried the "Raffaello" Multipurpose Logistic Module as the primary payload and supplies to the ISS, a new control moment gyro (CMG), the External Stowage Platform-2 and test tile and RCC (Reinforced carbon-carbon) repair techniques on orbit (DTO-848).

This was the first time that an extension to the Robotic arm was carried on the Shuttle. It was the OBSS (Orbiter Boom Sensor System) that allowed Discovery to be checked for damage while on orbit.

For this flight the ET was "re-designed" by eliminating the bipod foams. But unfortunately immediately after lift-off, Discovery's new cameras on board and on the ET detected foam shedding from the external tank. NASA decided then to ground the shuttle fleet. Discovery finally landed on August 9, 2005 at Edwards Air Force Base.

For this model, the payload detail was made possible thanks to NASA's photo Gallery and Dennis Jenkins / Jorge Frank "Return to Flight - Space Shuttle Discovery" photo scrapbook. Excellent resources.

All the payload elements can be removed easily in order to make the different configurations for photo shooting. The "Raffaello" module can be removed and also can be attached to International Space Station Node 1 "Unity". Also, the External Stowage Platform-2 can be modified and attached to International Space Station "Quest" module as well.

On this mission, during the first EVA, the MISSE-1 and MISSE-2 experiments from STS-105 were retrieved. A new experiment, the MISSE-5 experiment was onboard Discovery and was attached to the P6 truss. This experiment eventually was retrieved on STS-115 mission. Photo below shows the location of the MISSE-5. The file for the MISSE-5 experiment is available on the STS-105 payload page.

UPDATE!!

This file has been revised. The "Raffaello" module has been re-colored to match the current ISS elements. Also, one of the ORU's, the Flex Hose Rotary Coupler (FHRC) has been re-designed and is more accurate. As a bonus, there is an 1:100 scale version of the ESP-2 available on this page, too! Check the updated assembly manual for this payload, too.

3/14/09 Update: When reviewing NASA photos it was noticed that the Grapple Fixtures for the OBSS were modified since the first time the OBSS was used on mission STS-114. Download the OBSS file with the modified Grapple Fixtures. All STS missions beginning with STS-114 will use these modified Grapple Fixtures for the OBSS boom.

Enjoy this model!