# Single Module

> payload module flown on the Space Shuttle

**Wikidata**: [Q108253260](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108253260)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/single-module

## Summary
The Single Module (SM) is a pressurized payload module designed for research and storage that was flown on the NASA Space Shuttle. It is a specific configuration within the Spacehab family of modules manufactured by the Astrotech Corporation.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Payload module and a subclass of the Spacehab class.
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer:** Astrotech Corporation (qualified as Spacehab).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Space Shuttle.
- **Parent Class:** Spacehab, a family of research and storage modules.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Aliases:** Spacehab Single Module, SM.
- **Operational Context:** Flown during the Space Shuttle program era (1981–2011).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Single Module?
A: The Single Module serves as a pressurized environment for research and storage. It is designed to be carried in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle to support various orbital experiments and logistics.

### Q: Who built the Single Module?
A: The module was manufactured by the Astrotech Corporation. In technical records, the manufacturer is often associated with the name Spacehab.

### Q: On which spacecraft was the Single Module flown?
A: The Single Module was flown exclusively on the Space Shuttle, NASA's partially reusable launch system and space plane. It was utilized on missions such as STS-91 and STS-95.

## Why It Matters
The Single Module is a significant component of the Spacehab program, which provided the Space Shuttle with expanded pressurized volume for scientific endeavors. By functioning as a dedicated research and storage facility, the module allowed NASA to maximize the utility of the Shuttle's cargo bay. It played a vital role in the logistics of the Space Shuttle era (1981–2011), facilitating complex missions that required both human interaction and specialized equipment storage in a microgravity environment. Its integration into the Space Shuttle system demonstrated a successful partnership between NASA and private manufacturing via the Astrotech Corporation, contributing to the United States' capabilities in orbital research and space station support.

## Notable For
- **Spacehab Lineage:** It is a core member of the Spacehab family of modules specifically designed for the Space Shuttle.
- **Mission Integration:** Notable for its use in the STS-91 mission, where it was loaded into the Space Shuttle Discovery alongside the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.
- **Crew Accessibility:** Features a pressurized interior that allows Space Shuttle crew members to enter and work within the module while in orbit.
- **Versatile Payload:** Classified as both a research facility and a storage unit, making it a multi-purpose tool for NASA operations.

## Body

### Classification and Development
The Single Module is a specific instance of the Spacehab class of modules. It is categorized as a payload and is a subclass of the broader Spacehab research and storage family. The module was manufactured in the United States by the Astrotech Corporation.

### Technical Specifications and Operation
The module is designed to operate within the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle, a partially reusable launch system developed by NASA. Known by the alias "SM," the module provides a pressurized environment suitable for both equipment and human activity. 

### Mission History
The Single Module has been a key component of several Space Shuttle missions:
*   **STS-91:** The module was loaded into the Space Shuttle Discovery. During this mission, it was positioned alongside the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.
*   **STS-95:** The module's interior was utilized by the crew for mission-specific activities, providing a dedicated workspace separate from the Shuttle's mid-deck.

### Operator and Manufacturer Relationship
While the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) served as the primary operator of the Single Module, the hardware was produced by the Astrotech Corporation. The module is a central part of the Spacehab class, which maintains a significant presence in space exploration history with 14 sitelinks in major knowledge databases.