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Unity Connecting Module
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Date:
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December 4, 1998
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Location:
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Cape Canaveral, Florida
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Flight:
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2A |
Vehicle: |
Space Shuttle Endeavour
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Designation:
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Connecting Module, Node 1
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Rationale:
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PMA-1 connects Unity and Zarya. PMA-2 provides a Shuttle docking
location. Provides connecting points for the Z1 truss exterior framework;
the U.S. lab; airlock; cupola; Node 3; and the MPLM as well as Zarya.
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The first U.S.-built component of the International Space Station, a six-sided
connecting module and passageway, or node, named Unity, was the primary cargo of
Space Shuttle mission STS-88, launched in December 1998 as the first mission
dedicated to assembly of the station.
Now permanently attached to the Zarya control module in orbit, the Unity
connecting module has six berthing ports, one on each side, one of which already
is attached to Zarya.
Essential space station resources such as fluids, environmental control and life
support systems, electrical and data systems are routed through Unity 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 the Unity node. Unity is made of
aluminum.
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