KSC-01PP-1201 - The Joint Airlock Module is transferred to Atlantis's payload bay 


KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The Joint Airlock Module, sporting a NASA logo, and Space Lab
Double Pallet are moved into the payload bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis for mission STS-104.
Once installed and activated, the airlock becomes the primary path for  International Space
Station spacewalk entry and departure using U.S. spacesuits, which are known as Extravehicular
Mobility Units, or EMUs. In addition, the Joint Airlock is designed to support the Russian
Orlan spacesuit for EVA activity.  The pallet contains two oxygen and two nitrogen
High-Pressure Gas Tanks, which will be attached externally to the airlock during two of the
STS-104 spacewalks.   Launch of Atlantis is scheduled no earlier than July 12.

 
                                               06/26/2001