# Spacehab

> family of research and storage modules flown on the Space Shuttle

**Wikidata**: [Q10820348](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10820348)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacehab_module)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spacehab

## Summary
Spacehab was a family of research and storage modules designed to fly aboard NASA's Space Shuttle. These pressurized modules expanded the Shuttle's capacity for scientific experiments, cargo transport, and crew operations during missions from the 1990s to the 2000s.

## Key Facts
- Spacehab modules were operated by NASA and manufactured by Astrotech Corporation under the Spacehab brand.
- The system included four main variants: Single Module, Research Double Module, Logistics Single Module, and Logistics Double Module.
- Flown exclusively on the Space Shuttle between 1993 and 2007.
- Classified as both a space laboratory and a payload module.
- Differentiated from the earlier European-built Spacelab system.
- Originated in the United States as part of NASA's Space Shuttle program.
- The Research Double Module was specifically flown on Space Shuttle Columbia.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Spacehab used for?
A: Spacehab modules served as pressurized research laboratories and cargo storage units aboard the Space Shuttle, enabling scientific experiments and logistics support during missions.

### Q: How many types of Spacehab modules existed?
A: There were four primary configurations: Single Module, Research Double Module, Logistics Single Module, and Logistics Double Module.

### Q: When was Spacehab used?
A: Spacehab modules flew on Space Shuttle missions from 1993 until the program's conclusion in 2011, with the last module flying in 2007.

### Q: Who built Spacehab?
A: The modules were manufactured by Astrotech Corporation under the Spacehab brand name.

### Q: How was Spacehab different from Spacelab?
A: While both were Shuttle-borne laboratories, Spacehab was a U.S.-developed system with different module configurations and operational capabilities compared to the European Spacelab.

## Why It Matters
Spacehab played a crucial role in expanding the scientific and operational capabilities of the Space Shuttle program. By providing additional pressurized volume, these modules enabled more complex microgravity research, life sciences experiments, and cargo transportation than the Shuttle's middeck alone could accommodate. The system supported critical NASA missions, including resupply flights to the International Space Station precursor programs and dedicated science missions. Spacehab's modular design demonstrated how commercial entities could contribute to space infrastructure, paving the way for future public-private partnerships in space exploration. Its legacy continues in modern commercial space station modules and cargo systems.

## Notable For
- Being one of the first commercially developed space laboratory systems
- Providing critical additional pressurized volume for Shuttle missions
- Supporting both research (Double Module) and logistics (Single/Double Modules) configurations
- Flying on multiple Space Shuttle orbiters, including Columbia
- Demonstrating the viability of modular space habitats for scientific use

## Body
### Overview and Development
Spacehab was a family of pressurized modules designed to augment the Space Shuttle's capabilities. Developed by Astrotech Corporation, these modules addressed NASA's need for additional workspace and storage during Shuttle missions. Unlike the earlier Spacelab (a European contribution), Spacehab was an American commercial venture.

### Module Variants
The system comprised four main configurations:
- **Single Module**: Basic payload module for cargo and experiments
- **Research Double Module**: Extended laboratory version flown on Columbia, providing twice the volume of the Single Module
- **Logistics Single Module**: Optimized for cargo transport
- **Logistics Double Module**: Larger cargo configuration with double the capacity

### Operational History
Spacehab modules first flew in 1993 and supported missions until 2007. They were integral to:
- Microgravity research missions
- Life sciences experiments
- International Space Station resupply precursor flights
- Commercial payload operations

### Technical Specifications
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle only
- **Operator**: NASA
- **Manufacturer**: Astrotech Corporation (Spacehab brand)
- **Pressure**: Fully pressurized for crew access
- **Compatibility**: Designed to fit in the Shuttle's payload bay

### Relationship to Other Systems
While often compared to Spacelab, Spacehab represented a different approach:
- Commercial development vs. international collaboration
- Modular flexibility for different mission types
- Focus on both research and logistics capabilities

## Schema Markup
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  "manufacturer": {
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    "alternateName": "Spacehab"
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