Payload Bay Survey with various payloads



Having an MPLM in the payload bay makes it somewhat more difficult to see the PLBD visual cues. The MPLM obscures most of the aft bulkhead, though the bulkhead latch rollers and target line are still visible and can still be used. However, several of the pushrods are hidden, so they cannot be used in the case of a jammed door where MCC calls to check the number of stripes visible. Compare this to the payload bay with Hubble Telescope hardware and with a Spacehab module.


Payload bay of STS-114 (OV-103), with an MPLM, from window W9. Note the visiblity of the target line and roller fittings on the aft bulkhead, and the pushrods along the sills. Click to enlarge. (Photo s114e5196, cropped)

In these views of the sills from STS-114, only three of the six pushrods are visible. A fourth is offscreen at the bottom corner (near the forward bulkhead), but two pushrods are hidden by the MPLM. Click to enlarge. (Photos s114e7423 and s114e7422)
Views of the aft bulkhead from STS-114. Much of the bulkhead is hidden by the MPLM. Click to enlarge. (Photos s114e7425, s114e7426, and s114e7427)
Payload bay of STS-109 (OV-102), with the Hubble Telescope Flight Support Structure (FSS). Click to enlarge. (Photo S109E6001, cropped)

Payload bay of STS-101 (OV-104), with a Spacehab. Click to enlarge. (Photo STS101-326-002, cropped)

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