Why Kibo logistics before main lab ?

They are now shipping the smaller Kibo logistocs module with a few racks
in it. It will be temporarily berthed to node2. Next flight brings up
the real Kibo module that is also to be attached to Node2, and then the
Kibo logistics will be moved to the real Kibo module.

What would have been the drawback of shipping the unpopulated large Kibo
module first, berth it to node2, then in the next flight, ship the
logistics module and bert it right away to Kibo ?

This would save the double handling of the logistics module, as well as
the temporary use/outfitting of the zenith port of node2 and save a few
spacewalks.

I realise that the main kibo lab would not be functional until the
logistics module arrives with the racks, but doesn't it have minimal
heating to keep it alive during the month or two between the two shuttle
flights ?

BTW, the boom sensor will stay with the station. Endeavour isn't
bringing it back to earth. Next shuttle with the large Kibo lab won't be
able to carry the boom sensor. So the next shuttle, after delivering the
large kibo, will then pickup the boom from station and do its inspection
at the station.

"John Doe" wrote in message
...

What would have been the drawback of shipping the unpopulated large Kibo
module first, berth it to node2, then in the next flight, ship the
logistics module and bert it right away to Kibo ?

This would save the double handling of the logistics module, as well as
the temporary use/outfitting of the zenith port of node2 and save a few
spacewalks.

Maybe they're going to use the experiments in the meantime? Does seem a
bit... odd.

this way they could bring up the dextre stuff, there was enough
storage room left in the shuttle. maybe that was the reason?

will that be needed for some immediate use, maybe installing the next
two parts of the laboratory?

Alan Erskine wrote:
"John Doe" wrote in message
...
What would have been the drawback of shipping the unpopulated large Kibo
module first, berth it to node2, then in the next flight, ship the
logistics module and bert it right away to Kibo ?

This would save the double handling of the logistics module, as well as
the temporary use/outfitting of the zenith port of node2 and save a few
spacewalks.

Maybe they're going to use the experiments in the meantime? Does seem a
bit... odd.

You can't activate the JEM until you install its system racks, and the
JEM is too heavy to be launched with its system racks - they're in the
logistics module. By launching the logistics module first, you gain the
ability to activate the JEM on the same flight that launches it.