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Author
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Topic: Donatello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module
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Delta7
Member Posts: 1505
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 03-21-2011 12:23 PM
   
I was wondering why the Donatello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) was never used. I seem to remember it was manifested for STS-131 at one point. Where is it now? |
Skylon
Member Posts: 274
From:
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 03-21-2011 03:14 PM
I don't think it was ever completed. I read somewhere parts of it were used to beef up the micrometeorite shielding on Leonardo for its conversion into the PMM.
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Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 03-21-2011 06:05 PM
Are these Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 03-21-2011 06:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
Are these Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
Yes, they are! While the MPLMs are technically named after famous Italians (Donatello, Raffaello, and Leonardo), it's no accident they chose the names also shared by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I don't know if NASA publicly states the connection between the MPLMs and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but the connection is implied. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-21-2011 06:49 PM
I think one of the logos for the MPLM has a Ninja Turtle on it. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-21-2011 08:05 PM
 |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-21-2011 08:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Delta7:
Where is it now?
Getting back to the original topic, Donatello (MPLM FM-3) is in the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. As mentioned earlier, Donatello's installation blankets were removed to be upgraded and then installed on Leonardo to become the Permanent Multi-Purpose Module. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 03-21-2011 09:38 PM
It will be interesting to see what happens when Raffaello is mated to the ISS on STS-135. The Station software was designed to deal with only one attached Logistics Module at a time. Even though Leonardo is now a permanent part of the Station, there's a chance that the operations software could get confused when a second Logistics Module makes electrical contact with the Station. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 03-24-2011 01:47 PM
That is assuming the original Logistics Module hardware that interfaces with the station is being used. More than likely, they have altered the software to call it something else to keep them from having such an issue and they have likely already tested the interfaces (there are mockups used at KSC to test the module interfaces and how they mate with other systems before the modules fly). But of course, if something does happen, they will probably have a work around fix/patch for it until a better software update gets uploaded. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 03-24-2011 06:44 PM
The issue is being discussed and prepared for by people working on the mission. The "worst case scenario," is some sort of unknown software error instigating a computer crash the instant Rafaello makes electrical contact, causing the robotics systems to go down, and making it impossible to either completely dock or undock the module. |
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