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| Module statistics | |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1998-069F |
| Part of | International Space Station |
| Launch date | December 4, 1998, 08:35:34 UTC |
| Launch vehicle | Space Shuttle Endeavour |
| Berthed | December 6, 1998 (Zarya forward) |
| Mass | 11,612 kg (25,600 lb) |
| Length | 5.47 m (17.9 ft) |
| Diameter | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) |
Unity, also known asNode 1, is the firstU.S.-built component of theInternational Space Station (ISS). This cylindrical module, constructed of steel byBoeing forNASA, serves as the critical link between the orbiting laboratory'sRussian Orbital Segment andUS Orbital Segment.
Unity was launched on December 4, 1998, aboard theSpace Shuttle Endeavour onSTS-88. Two days later it was berthed to the previously launchedZarya module, marking the first connection between ISS components. Its sixCommon Berthing Mechanism (CBM) locations (forward,aft,port,starboard,zenith, andnadir) facilitate connections to other modules. At launch, two CBM locations were fitted withPressurized Mating Adapters (PMA), one of which enabled the mating withZarya.
Measuring 4.57 metres (15.0 ft) in diameter and 5.47 metres (17.9 ft) in length,Unity was built at NASA'sMarshall Space Flight Center. It is the first of three connecting modules, joined byHarmony andTranquility.
Unity (with its two attached PMAs) was carried into orbit as the primary cargo of theSpace ShuttleEndeavour (OV 105) onSTS-88, the firstSpace Shuttle mission dedicated to assembly of the station. On December 6, 1998, the STS-88 crew mated the docking port of the PMA on the aft berthing port ofUnity with the forward hatch of the already orbitingZarya module. (Zarya was a mixed Russian-U.S. funded and Russian-built component launched a few days before aboard aRussianProtonlaunch vehicle fromBaikonur,Kazakhstan.)
Unity has two axial and four radialCommon Berthing Mechanism (CBM) ports. In addition to connecting to theZarya module,Unity connects to the U.S.Destiny Laboratory Module (added onSTS-98), theZ1 truss (an early exterior framework for the station added onSTS-92), thePMA-3 (also added onSTS-92), and theQuest Joint Airlock (added onSTS-104). DuringSTS-120 theHarmony module was temporarily berthed to the port-side hatch ofUnity.Tranquility, with itsmulti-windowed cupola, was attached toUnity's port side during theSTS-130 mission, andLeonardo was added to thenadir hatch duringSTS-133.
In addition, theLeonardo andRaffaelloMulti-Purpose Logistics Modules were each berthed toUnity on multiple missions.
Essential space station resources such as fluids, environmental control and life support systems, electrical and data systems are routed throughUnity to supply work and living areas of the station. More than 50,000 mechanical items, 216 lines to carry fluids and gases, and 121 internal and external electrical cables using six miles of wire were installed in theUnity node.[2] The primary structure of Unity is constructed ofaluminium.[3]
During the space station construction, a crew member placed two speed limit signs on the hatch (leading into the FGB) in 2003, noting the orbital velocity in mph and km/h.[4]
Prior to its launch aboardEndeavour, conicalPressurized Mating Adapters (PMAs) were attached to the aft and forward berthing mechanisms ofUnity.Unity and the two mating adapters together weighed about 11,600 kg (25,600 lb). The adapters allow the docking systems used by the Space Shuttle and by Russian modules to attach to the node's hatches and berthing mechanisms.[2] PMA-1 now permanently attachesUnity toZarya, while PMA-2 provided a Shuttle docking port. Attached to the exterior of PMA-1 are computers, or multiplexer-demultiplexers (MDMs), which provided early command and control ofUnity.Unity also is outfitted with an early communications system that allows data, voice and low data rate video withMission Control Houston, to supplement Russian communications systems during the early station assembly activities. PMA-3 was attached toUnity's nadir berthing mechanism by the crew ofSTS-92.
The two remaining station connecting modules, or nodes, were manufactured inItaly byAlenia Aerospazio, as part of an agreement betweenNASA and theEuropean Space Agency (ESA).Harmony (also known as Node 2) andTranquility (also known as Node 3) are slightly longer thanUnity, measuring almost 6.4 m (21 ft) long in total. In addition to their six berthing ports, each can hold eightInternational Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs). Unity, in comparison, holds just four ISPRs. ESA built Nodes 2 and 3 as partial payment for the launch aboard the Shuttle of theColumbus laboratory module, and other ESA equipment.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.Components of theInternational Space Station | ||||||||||
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