Columbia's Configuration for STS-107

Technical Article B2

Columbia's payload configuration for STS-107 was typical for a science and research mission. The Spacehab Research Double Module (RDM) was installed in the payload bay with various experiments located either there or in the middeck lockers. Aft of the Spacehab Module was the FREESTAR Experiment and the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) Package which increased the length of time that the experiments are run. The file Spacehab_RDM.pdf consists of the Spacehab sections from 3 different documents, (the Shuttle Subsystems Manual, the STS-107 Press Kit and the Official Final Report Vol. II). This document gives detailed descriptions of all the experiments onboard Columbia during STS-107. This Technical Article is only intended to show what was in the payload bay and how it was configured, no detailed descriptions are included.

Fig. TA-B2-1A	Fig. TA-B2-1A is a plan view of the Columbia's payload bay as it was configured for the STS-107 mission. Each item is labeled below in blue text.
Fig. TA-B2-1B	Fig. TA-B2-1B is simply a side elevation view of the above image.

Fig. TA-B2-2

Fig. TA-B2-2 is an isometric view of the STS-107 payload bay configuration. This view gives an improved visual representation of where the different items are located.

Fig. TA-B2-3

Fig. TA-B2-3 is an exploded view of the components that makeup the transfer tunnel between the middeck crew area and the Spacehab module.

Fig. TA-B2-4

Fig. TA-B2-4 is essentially a split view of the two single modules that makeup the Double Module. The RDM itself is 20 feet long, 14 feet wide and 11 feet tall. The weight of the module as it was configured for STS-107 was about 7,500 lbs. and the total weight of research payloads on STS-107 was 8, 300 lbs.

Fig. TA-B2-5

Fig. TA-B2-5 is an exploded view of the Spacehab RDM that provides a better understanding of how the entire assembly is put together.

Fig. TA-B2-6A	Fig. TA-B2-6A
Fig. TA-B2-6B	Fig. TA-B2-6B

The following 5 photos were taken as the payload bay for STS-107 was being assembled.

Fig. TA-B2-7	The Spacehab Research Double Module (RDM) is being prepared for final assembly into Columbia's payload bay. This view is looking at the forward end of the module with the crew access port being covered to prevent dust an debris from entering.
Fig. TA-B2-8	Looking at the forward end of the RDM after it has been attached to the support rigging and being prepared to be lowered into the payload bay. The crew access tunnel has already been assembled onto the the module for a final fit check.
Fig. TA-B2-9	This view is the aft end of the RDM which is again attached to the support rigging. The hardware and support structure for the FREESTAR Experiment is also visible and has been attached to the support rigging in its position relative to the RDM for final fit check. The EDO Package has been installed and is visible at the far lower right corner of the photo.
Fig. TA-B2-10	View of the Columbia's payload bay looking aft with all of the experiments and other items assembled and installed. The FREESTAR Experiment is barely visible just beyond the RDM and the EDO Package can be seen at the very end of the payload bay.
Fig. TA-B2-11	This photo is same as above except looking forward and at a somewhat better angle for viewing all of the components and experiments installed in the payload bay. At this point the payload bay will be sealed for launch and will not be reopened until after the Columbia has reached orbit.