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NASA STS-104 Atlantis Mission Patch

4" Embroidered Space Patch for the STS-104 Mission

The primary purpose of the flight is to deliver and install the ISS Airlock. The Joint Airlock is a pressurized flight element consisting of two cylindrical chambers attached end-to-end by a connecting bulkhead and hatch. Once installed and activated, the ISS airlock becomes the primary path for International Space Station space walk entry and departure for U.S. spacesuits, which are known as Extravehicular Mobility Units, or EMUs. In addition, the Joint Airlock is designed to support the Russian Orlan spacesuit for EVA activity. The Joint Airlock is 20ft long, 13ft in diameter and weighs 6.5 tons. It was built at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) by the Space Station Prime Contractor Boeing. The ISS-airlock has two main components: a crew airlock and an equipment airlock for storing EVA gear and EVA preflight preps. STS-104 also carries a spacelab pallet with four High Pressure Gas Assembly containers that will be attached to the exterior of the airlock.

Launch Date: July 12, 2001 5:04 a.m. EDT Launch Vehicle: Atlantis Crew: Steven W. Lindsey, Mission Commander Charles O. Hobaugh, Pilot Michael L. Gernhardt, Mission Specialist James F. Reilly, Mission Specialist Janet L. Kavandi, Mission Specialist

STS-104, International Space Station (ISS) assembly mission 7A, marks the completion of the initial assembly phase of ISS. The 7A crew will install, activate, and perform the first space walk from the Joint Airlock. The Joint Airlock will enable crews to perform space walks in either United States or Russian spacesuits while recovering over 90 percent of the gases that were previously lost when airlocks were vented to the vacuum of space. This patch depicts the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis and the successful completion of the mission objectives as signified by the view of the ISS with the airlock installed. The astronaut symbol is displayed behind Atlantis as a tribute to the many crews that have flown before. The hard work, dedication, and teamwork of the airlock team is represented by the ISS components inside the payload bay which include the Joint Airlock and four high pressure gas tanks containing nitrogen and oxygen. In the words of a STS-104 crew spokesperson, "The stars and stripes background is symbolic of the commitment of a nation to this challenging international endeavor and to our children who represent its future."

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