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Joint Airlock Module
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Date:
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July 12, 2001
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Location:
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Kennedy Space Center, Florida
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Flight:
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7A (STS-104)
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Vehicle:
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Space Shuttle Atlantis
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Designation:
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Joint Airlock Module
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Rationale:
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Allows the Station crew to go on spacewalks.
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Installing the Airlock, during Flight 7A (STS-104) was the first official task of
Canadarm2.
The Joint Airlock is a pressurized flight element consisting of two cylindrical
chambers attached end-to-end by a connecting bulkhead and hatch. Once installed and
activated, the Airlock becomes the primary path for International Space Station
space walk entry and departure for U.S. spacesuits, which are known as Extravehicular
Mobility Units, or EMUs. In addition, the Joint Airlock is designed to support the
Russian Orlan spacesuit for EVA activity.
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