Space Station payload accommodations

Accommodating a multitude of diverse payloads on the Space Station base and its platforms requires an early definition of payload candidates to assure an adequate assessment of payload requirements. The task of interpreting the payload requirements, translating them into Station design requirements, and developing the processes and procedures to accommodate and integrate the user onto the Station is the function of the NASA Space Station Program Office Utilization and Operations Group. This paper describes the Space Station assembly sequence, time-phased payload accommodations, and the unique research environment provided by the Space Station.