3
$\begingroup$

I know they are about 10cm thick and act like a whipple shield. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20120002584 It should be two layers of aluminum. But when I look at the photos from the inside, the walls look black. destiny module

Is there anything else in the walls? For example cooling (tubes with cooling liquid), some sensors, distributions and so on? How "functional" are the walls? Or is it just several layers of different materials?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

As you've probably seen, the inner walls of the ISS modules are almost totally obscured by racks and other equipment.

The "barest" modules are the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLMs), which are constructed in the same manner as the other modules of the ISS but were left mostly empty to serve in their role as cargo carriers. MPLM-1 was actually left at the ISS to become a permanent module.

When the MPLMs were being loaded and unloaded on the ground at KSC, there are some pictures that show the inner walls fairly well (see above the workers' heads for example). Here are a couple.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Source: images.nasa.gov (search for "mplm at ksc")

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for the reply. Of course I know that the walls are covered with seagulls and equipment. I was talking about the construction of the 10 cm (really just the wall itself). But the other pictures of the insides of the modules are also useful to me. $\endgroup$
    – Saturn V
    Commented Jan 6, 2023 at 18:51
  • $\begingroup$ Seagulls? Terribly messy in micro-g $\endgroup$
    – blobbymcblobby
    Commented Jan 6, 2023 at 19:15
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @SaturnV ... "seagulls"? What are seagulls? $\endgroup$
    – Woody
    Commented Jan 6, 2023 at 19:15
  • $\begingroup$ Sorry, I meant "racks". Google translator is to blame. $\endgroup$
    – Saturn V
    Commented Jan 7, 2023 at 17:29

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.