# Raffaello

> cargo supply module for the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q7282542](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7282542)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffaello_MPLM)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/raffaello

## Summary
Raffaello is a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) designed to transfer critical cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS). Manufactured by Alenia Spazio in Italy and funded by the Italian Space Agency, this cylindrical module served as a reusable "moving van" aboard the Space Shuttle. Following its final Shuttle mission in 2011, ownership of Raffaello was transferred to Axiom Space in 2023 for renovation and potential future use.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Raffaello (designated MPLM-2) is a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, a class of container used to pressurized cargo to the ISS.
- **Dimensions:** The module has a length of 6.6 meters and a diameter of 4.57 meters.
- **Mass:** It has an empty weight (mass) of 4,082 kilograms.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was transported to space exclusively via the NASA Space Shuttle.
- **Manufacturer:** The module was developed and manufactured by Alenia Spazio.
- **Origin:** It was constructed in Turin, Italy, and is a product of the Italian Space Agency (funder).
- **Operational History:** Its maiden flight occurred on April 19, 2001 (STS-100), and its final flight was on July 8, 2011 (STS-135).
- **Ownership:** Originally owned by NASA and operated by the Marshall Space Flight Center, it was acquired by Axiom Space starting in 2023.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Raffaello module?
A: Raffaello served as a cargo supply module for the International Space Station. It functioned as a reusable logistics carrier launched inside the Space Shuttle to transfer equipment, supplies, and experiments to the station.

### Q: How many times did Raffaello fly to space?
A: While the source material confirms specific details about its maiden flight (STS-100 in 2001) and last flight (STS-135 in 2011), it identifies Raffaello as a reusable container used across multiple missions during that period.

### Q: Who owns Raffaello now?
A: As of 2023, Raffaello is owned and operated by the commercial company Axiom Space. Previously, it was owned by NASA and operated by the Marshall Space Flight Center.

### Q: What are the physical specifications of Raffaello?
A: The module is 6.6 meters long and 4.57 meters in diameter, with an empty mass of 4,082 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
Raffaello represents a crucial component of International Space Station logistics and international cooperation in space exploration. As one of three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs), it enabled the large-scale transfer of infrastructure and scientific payloads necessary to build and maintain the ISS over a decade of operations.

The module is historically significant for its role in the final flight of the Space Shuttle program (STS-135), marking the end of an era in American spaceflight. Furthermore, Raffaello highlights the transition from government-led space exploration to the commercial space sector. Its transfer to Axiom Space in 2023 and subsequent renovation for use as a space station module demonstrates how legacy space hardware is being repurposed to support the next generation of commercial orbital platforms. This evolution underscores the shift towards sustainable, private-sector operations in low Earth orbit.

## Notable For
- **Final Shuttle Mission:** Raffaello was the primary payload for STS-135 (July 8, 2011), the final flight of the Space Shuttle program.
- **Commercial Reuse:** It is the first Space Shuttle logistics module to be transferred to a private company (Axiom Space) for renovation and potential commercial use.
- **Italian Engineering:** A landmark achievement for the Italian space industry (Alenia Spazio/Italian Space Agency), serving as a major contribution to the ISS partnership.
- **High Capacity:** As an MPLM, it served as a massive, pressurized "closet" allowing astronauts to transfer tons of cargo directly into the station's breathable atmosphere.

## Body
### Development and Construction
Raffaello is one of three Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules developed to service the International Space Station. It was manufactured by Alenia Spazio in Turin, Italy, with funding provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The construction of the module was completed in Turin by August 1999. Shortly after, on August 2, 1999, it arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin processing for launch.

### Technical Specifications
Designed to fit within the payload bay of the Space Shuttle, Raffaello is a cylindrical structure with precise dimensions:
- **Length:** 6.6 metres
- **Diameter:** 4.57 metres
- **Empty Mass:** 4,082 kilograms

The module is named after the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael.

### Operational History
Raffaello operated as a biconic logistics carrier, flying inside the Space Shuttle and temporarily berthing to the ISS to unload cargo.
- **Maiden Flight:** Raffaello first flew on mission **STS-100** on April 19, 2001.
- **Final Flight:** The module performed its last operational flight on **STS-135** on July 8, 2011, which was the final mission of the Space Shuttle program.

### Transition to Commercial Operations
For most of its service life, Raffaello was owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and operated by the Marshall Space Flight Center. This arrangement lasted from 1999 until 2023.

In 2023, ownership and operational control of Raffaello were transferred to **Axiom Space**. The module was moved to Houston for renovation. Axiom Space plans to modify the module for use as a component of a future commercial space station, extending the hardware's lifespan beyond its original Shuttle-era design.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/mplm.html)
2. [Source](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/space/article/nasa-super-guppy-houston-commercial-space-station-17920584.php)
3. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/03/commercial-station-roundup/)
4. [Source](https://spacenews.com/from-simulation-to-space-raffaello-prepares-for-launch/)
5. Mini pressurized logistics module (MPLM)
6. [Source](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0094576594902542)
7. [Source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19990052631/downloads/19990052631.pdf)
8. [Source](https://www.esa.int/esapub/onstation/os5.pdf)
9. [Source](https://spaceref.com/status-report/donatello-multipurpose-logistics-module-arrives-at-ksc/)
10. Jonathan's Space Report
11. [Source](http://mplm.msfc.nasa.gov/mission.html)