Additional Lab To Be Added To the ISS

Matt_dk writes "Apparently the International Space Station is going to get bigger. NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) are preparing to sign an agreement to add another laboratory to the ISS by using a modified multipurpose logistics module (Raffaello) during the final Space Shuttle mission. It will be attached in September 2010 during Endeavour's STS-133 mission. The idea had originally been rejected, but earlier this year ISS program manager Michael Suffredini said using an MPLM for an additional module was being reconsidered."

Comments

Re:I don't see the point of adding to it.

[negRo_slim]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station#End_of_mission.2Fdeorbit_plans

As the Russian modules have the motors that would be used for controlled de-orbit, this poses a potential issue if Russia takes that capability to a new, on-going station. Other options include using a European Automated Transfer Vehicle. One option stated for an ongoing station is for Russia to build a ball-shaped, six-port module to which existing modules could be attached.

Decommissioned doesn't necessarily mean EOL.

Why Don't They Leave the Shuttles Up There, Too?

[unamiccia]

I don't get why we're not planning to dock the shuttles to the ISS and leave them up there, too, with their useful engines, robotic arms, and so forth. The space museums would be sad, but someone would undoubtably think up some cool things that could be accomplished with them up there.

Re:Why Don't They Leave the Shuttles Up There, Too

[Architect_sasyr]

Yes. Long-term storage of human beings in space.

Two ships go up, one ship comes down. It shouldn't be hard to leave at least a little bit of equipment up there.

On the topic of leaving them up their with their robotic arms, I would like to see some sort of small, orbital building yard - for now it doesn't have to do much, but even some sort of recycling processor to deal with random bits of junk that float past would be interesting, and pave the way for a whole new set of interesting technology.