# Logistics Double Module

> payload module flown on the Space Shuttle

**Wikidata**: [Q108253265](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108253265)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logistics-double-module

## Summary
The Logistics Double Module (LDM) is a research and storage payload module that was flown on NASA's Space Shuttle, designed as part of the Spacehab family of modules to provide additional research and storage capacity during space missions.

## Key Facts
- The Logistics Double Module is a payload module flown on the Space Shuttle
- It belongs to the Spacehab family of research and storage modules
- Operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Manufactured by Astrotech Corporation under contract with Spacehab
- Has a maximum payload mass of 4,536 kilograms
- Has an internal volume of 62.3 cubic meters
- Was launched aboard the Space Shuttle
- Originated from the United States
- Is classified as a payload module

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main purpose of the Logistics Double Module?
A: It served as a research and storage module providing additional capacity for scientific experiments and equipment during Space Shuttle missions.

### Q: What was the maximum payload mass of the Logistics Double Module?
A: The maximum payload mass was 4,536 kilograms.

### Q: What was the internal volume of the Logistics Double Module?
A: The module had an internal volume of 62.3 cubic meters.

## Why It Matters
The Logistics Double Module played a crucial role in expanding the research capabilities of NASA's Space Shuttle program by providing additional payload capacity for scientific experiments and storage. As part of the Spacehab family, it represented an important evolution in space station logistics and research infrastructure, enabling longer-duration missions with enhanced scientific capabilities. The module's design addressed the growing need for more flexible and larger research platforms during the Space Shuttle era, contributing to advancements in various scientific fields while supporting the International Space Station's development and operations.

## Notable For
- It was the first double-module configuration in the Spacehab family, offering enhanced research capacity
- Provided 62.3 cubic meters of internal volume for scientific equipment
- Could carry up to 4,536 kilograms of payload
- Was manufactured by Astrotech Corporation under contract with Spacehab
- Represented a significant upgrade from single-module Spacehab configurations

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Logistics Double Module was designed as a research and storage payload module for NASA's Space Shuttle program. It was manufactured by Astrotech Corporation under contract with Spacehab, which developed the Spacehab family of modules. The module had a maximum payload capacity of 4,536 kilograms and an internal volume of 62.3 cubic meters.

### Operational Details
The Logistics Double Module was launched aboard the Space Shuttle, which was a partially reusable launch system developed by NASA between 1981 and 2011. As part of the Spacehab family, it served as an essential component for scientific research missions, providing additional storage and experimental space beyond what the shuttle's cargo bay could offer.

### Design and Features
The module featured a double configuration, meaning it consisted of two connected modules, which significantly increased its research capacity compared to single-module Spacehab configurations. It was designed to accommodate various scientific experiments and equipment, supporting a wide range of research activities during space missions.

### Historical Context
The Logistics Double Module was part of the broader Spacehab program, which aimed to provide flexible research platforms for the Space Shuttle program. Its development and deployment represented an important step in the evolution of space station logistics and research infrastructure, contributing to the advancement of scientific capabilities during the Space Shuttle era. The module's design addressed the growing need for more flexible and larger research platforms, supporting the transition toward the International Space Station's development and operations.

## References

1. [Source](https://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0004/05spacehabcontract/index.html)
2. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/spacehab.html)