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Cosmonaut Yuri P. Gidzenko is dwarfed by hardware packed in the Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module - an Italian-built moving van used to carry International Space Station equipment inside the Space Shuttle's payload bay. Gidzenko helped unpack Leonardo when it made its first trip to the Station in the spring of 2001. The STS-111 Space Shuttle mission is Leonardo's third trip to the Station and the fifth delivery by logistics modules that transport research equipment and other experiments to the Station. The fleet of "moving vans" is managed by the Flight Projects Directorate at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

One of the three Expedition Two crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured this view of the Space Shuttle Endeavour with payload bay doors open as the Shuttle approached the orbital outpost for an April 21, 2001 docking. Raffaello, the second Multipurpose Logistics Module (MPLM) provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), can be seen in its berthed position in the cargo bay. Topography in northern Africa serves as a backdrop for the scene. Onboard the Station are cosmonaut Yury V. Usachev, Expedition Two commander, and astronauts Susan J. Helms and James S. Voss, flight engineers. Onboard the Shuttle are astronauts Kent V. Rominger, Jeffrey S. Ashby, Scott E. Parazynski, John L. Phillips, Chris A. Hadfield, and Umberto Guidoni, along with cosmonaut Yuri V. Lonchakov. Hadfield represents the Canadian Space Agency (CSA); Guidoni is with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Lonchakov is associated with Rosaviakosmos.

At Launch Pad 39A, the payload on mission STS-100 continues moving out of the payload canister and into the payload changeout room. At the top is the Canadian robotic arm, the SSRMS, and below it is the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello. The SSRMS is capable of handling large payloads and assisting with docking the Space Shuttle. It is crucial to the continued assembly of the International Space Station. Raffaello carries six system racks and two storage racks for the U.S. Lab.

At Launch Pad 39A, the payload on mission STS-100 is in the payload changeout room, from which it will be transferred to the Endeavour’s payload bay. Visible is the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Raffaello. Above it, but not visible, is the Canadian robotic arm, the SSRMS. Raffaello carries six system racks and two storage racks for the U.S. Lab. The SSRMS is capable of handling large payloads and assisting with docking the Space Shuttle. It is crucial to the continued assembly of the International Space Station.

In the Space Station Processing Facility sits Raffaello, one of two Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs) built by Italy for the International Space Station.

March 10, 2001 - An out-the-window view of the Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module resting in Discovery's payload bay was recorded with a digital still camera from the International Space Station (ISS) Earth is in the background.

March 10, 2001 - The Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module rests in Discovery's payload bay in this view taken from the station by a crew member using a digital still camera.

Project Manager Randy McClendon, left, and project engineers survey the readiness of Multi Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Donatello at the Space Station Processing Facility, Kennedy Space Center. McClendon served as the NASA Project Manager for the joint NASA/Italian Space Agency MPLM project.

The first Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) is secured on the work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. The module, named Leonardo, is one of three from Alenia Aerospazio, 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 International Space Station.

In the Space Station Processing Facility sit Leonardo (left) and Raffaello (right), two Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs) built by Italy for the International Space Station.

The end cap is removed from the first Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), secured on the work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility. The module, named Leonardo, is one of three from Alenia Aerospazio, 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 International Space Station.