KSC-98pc879

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Cranes lower the canister containing the first Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), the Leonardo, destined for use in constructing the International Space Station (ISS). The Leonardo module arrived at KSC aboard the Airbus Beluga transporter, at left of the canister. Leonardo is scheduled to be launched on STS-100 in December 1999. Three modules are being provided by Alenia Aerospazio, in Italy, and will be operated by NASA and supported by ASI, the Italian space agency. The MPLMs will be carried in the payload bay of a Shuttle orbiter, and will provide storage and additional work space for up to two astronauts when docked to the ISS. The second MPLM, to be handed over in April 1999, is named Raffaello. A third module, to be named Donatello, is due to be delivered in October 2000 for launch in January 2001