Leonardo

Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module
Module statistics
Part of	International Space Station
Launch date	February 24, 2011, 21:53:24 UTC
Launch vehicle	Space Shuttle Discovery
Berthed	March 1, 2011 (Unity nadir)
Mass	9,896 kg (21,817 lb)
Length	6.6 m (22 ft)
Diameter	4.57 m (15.0 ft)
Pressurizedvolume	31 m3 (1,100 cu ft)
References:[1]

Leonardo, also known as thePermanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) is a module of theInternational Space Station. It was flown into space aboard theSpace ShuttleDiscovery onSTS-133 on February 24, 2011, and installed on March 1.Leonardo is primarily used for storage of spares, supplies and waste on the ISS, which was until then stored in many different places within the space station. It is also the personal hygiene area for the astronauts who live in theUS Orbital Segment. TheLeonardo PMM was aMulti-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) before 2011, then was modified into its current configuration. It was formerly one of two MPLM used for bringing cargo to and from the ISS with the Space Shuttle.

Like the other Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules, it was constructed by theItalian Space Agency, who chose to name it after the Italian polymathLeonardo da Vinci.^[1] Construction began in April 1996, and the module was delivered to NASA at theKennedy Space Center in August 1998 by anAirbus Beluga aircraft.^[2]

A European proposal suggested equipping theDonatello MPLM with enhancedmicrometeoroid/orbital debris protection and cooling systems, and leaving it attached to the ISS after the Space Shuttle fleet was retired. Costs for such MPLM modifications were estimated at $20M to $40M per unit. The MPLM would then be called a Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), and it would house spare parts and supplies, allowing longer times between resupply missions. The proposal was rejected byNASA because it would require changes to existing plans and would entail additional costs.^[3] Internal discussions continued^[4] and managers considered the possibility ofSTS-133, which at that time was planned to be the last Shuttle flight, leaving its MPLM permanently attached.^[5] TheUnited Launch Alliance also published a proposal for a system that could allow additional ISS modules to be launched on anEELV even after the retirement of the Shuttle.^[6]

On August 5, 2009, it was announced that STS-133 would indeed leave one MPLM permanently attached to the station.^[7] In October 2009, it was confirmed thatLeonardo would be the MPLM converted to a PMM.^[8] It was launched on February 24, 2011. The PMM was transferred to the station using theShuttle robotic arm and mated to thenadir (Earth) facing port ofUnity.

On May 27, 2015, at 13:08 UTC, the PMM was relocated from the nadir port of theUnity module to the forward-facing port of theTranquility module. This was done in order to allowUnity's nadir port to serve as a berthing port for resupply craft, which in turn frees upHarmony's zenith port for future U.S.Commercial Crew Development spacecraft.^[9]

After the re-location ofLeonardo from theUnity module to theTranquility module (which is where the toilet is located) in addition to its function as a storage module it is now the personal hygiene area for the ISS astronauts in theUS Orbital Segment. Astronauts have much privacy inLeonardo and dosponge baths and change their clothes here.^[10]

Raffaello, a MPLM similar toLeonardo, might also be used onAxiom Station after theISS is decommissioned.^[11]

After returning to Earth on April 20, 2010, at the end of theSTS-131 mission, theLeonardo MPLM was moved to theSpace Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at theKennedy Space Center in Florida to undergo modifications. To convert theLeonardo MPLM into the PMM, NASA made the following modifications: removal of +Y grapple fixture (Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture, or FRGF), removal of ROFU (Remotely Operated Fluid Umbilical) components, replacement ofCBM seal, installation of new forward end coneMMOD shields, feed through seal replacement, and installation of visiting vehicle retro-reflectors.

In addition, theMulti-layer insulation (MLI) blankets from the never-flownDonatello MPLM were cannibalized for use onLeonardo. The blankets were removed and returned to Italy where they were reinforced with Nextel/Kevlar to provide better protection against micro-meteorites. The upgraded blankets were then installed on about two-thirds ofLeonardo's surface area.^[12]

TheLeonardo PMM mass is 21,817 pounds (9,896 kg).^[13]

TheLeonardo MPLM, also known asMPLM-1, was one of threeMulti-Purpose Logistics Modules which were operated byNASA to transfer supplies and equipment to and from theInternational Space Station.Leonardo was used for eight of the twelve MPLM flights to the space station, withRaffaello being used for the other four. It was the first MPLM to be launched, making its first flight in March 2001, aboardSpace Shuttle Discovery onSTS-102.

• Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (smaller thanLeonardo)
• List of International Space Station spacewalks
• List of spacewalks 2000–2014

• Thales Alenia Space's PMM page
• NASA's Space Shuttle page

• Components of the International Space Station
• Spacecraft launched in 2011
• Supply vehicles for the International Space Station

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from August 2025