Page 54 - Italy In Space
P. 54
MPLM – Multi-Purpose Logistic Modules
April 19, 2001. Launch of mission STS-100 which carries in space for the first time RAFFAELLO the
Italian MPLM at its maiden flight. Payload Specialist in charge of the MPLM is the Italian astronaut
Umberto Guidoni. Raffaello altogether flew in space 4 times. Commemorative cover cancelled on the
day of launch in Turin. Italy, where is based the ALTEC Mission Control Center which provides
hardware/system support for all of the MPLMs.
March 8, 2001. Maiden flight of LEONARDO on the mission Space Shuttle STS-102.
Leonardo flew in space 8 times altogether. After its final flight it was transformed into “PMM” and
was permanently integrated into the ISS. Commemorative covers cancelled in Torino, Italy where is
based the ALTEC Mission Control Center which provided in-flight support to all the MPLM modules
and still supports hardware/systems of PMM and Columbus Laboratory.
53
