2008 Assembly Instructions for STS-97 payload (P6 Truss)
Familiarization with P6 Truss sides This is the FORWARD side of P6. It is the side that will be facing forward on top of the Z1 truss. Easily identified by the 3 vision targets at the bottom of the Long Spacer part (arrows). The green arrow shows the Grapple fixture used to move the P6 truss out of the payload bay by the Shuttle Robotic arm.
This is the STARBOARD side, identified by the 4 black lines in diagonal at the bottom of the truss (arrow). This side is facing up on the payload bay of the Shuttle.
This is the AFT side of P6. Is identified by the long rectangular element on the upper portion of the truss (arrow). It also has 3 vision targets at the bottom, one of them in a 90 degree angle (blue arrow).
This is the PORT side of the truss, identified by the 3 squares at the bottom, one grapple fixture (red arrow) and the place for a future Power and Data Grapple Fixture (STS- 111) (green arrow). The Grapple fixture indicated by the red arrow was used during STS-120 when the P6 truss was being relocated by the Station s Robotic arm during the handoff with the Shuttle s arm.
Building the truss Boxes 1 and 2 are glued together. Follow instructions on both boxes and glue accordingly as boxes indicate. Notice that box 1 is wider than box 2. When glued together and seen from either Starboard or Port, the top box 1 is wider. If seen from Forward or Aft, both boxes have the same width.
Glue the zenith bulkhead on top of box 1 as photo shows. Build the thicker payload bay attachment element. On the right is the model part and on the left the finished part.
Different angles showing same elements. Photo shows the payload bay attachments glued to the upper portion of box 1 where indicated (arrows). This draft model also has the lower front keel (bold blue arrow) and the thinner payload bay attachments with a second keel (all in blue). Radiators are in green.
Note the position where to glue the Grapple Fixture on the FORWARD side. Put the vision target dots as photo show. Note the position of 2 other vision target dots on the AFT side. The smaller dot (red) is glued to the payload attachment bar, and the bigger dot (green) is glued on an angle.
The red arrow points to where the Power and Data Grapple Fixture plate is located. Notice that the payload bay trunnions are placed on all 4 corners (blue). Glue all boxes indicated in the photo. Note that the big white boxes (radiators) for the P6 truss Space Station version are not glued. Instead they snap into a hole in order to be displayed in different configurations, either with deployed radiators or closed.
Elements to build the Mast Canisters. Mast canisters in different angles. Each canister has 2 box elements and one small cylinder. Notice that the larger rectangular box is glued at the level where box 1 ends (red) on the tip of the M detail.
These parts will form the attachment point where the SASA antenna from the Z1 truss is finally relocated. The diagram below shows how is built. Arrows indicate where to cut so the SASA antenna can fit. Do not glue the antenna.
SASA antenna position on top of the P6 truss. Note how these box-like structures are folded and glued on top of the truss for the Space Station version.
Note how on the P6 truss payload bay version the solar array canisters and masts are placed. Note the color gray at the end of the solar array containers (arrow).
Building the Solar Arrays The long mast can be done with a transparency if desired (optional).
Used for the upper portion of the solar array. Used for the lower portion of the solar array. Note that this part has 4 colored tabs, 2 in red and 2 in orange. The red tabs indicate that are glued to the black face of the solar array.
Roll a small piece of cardboard and glue it inside the mast and then glue the mast to the solar array holders in the center. This is for the bottom portion of the solar array. When gluing the colored tabs be sure to leave a gap or opening.
The upper portion of the solar array is different. Roll a large piece and glue it into the mast but leaving out a little gap indicated in the cardboard. The small circular piece (red arrow) will cover the excess. A variation when building a piece for diorama purposes to display when a solar array is retracted or unfolded as for missions STS-116, STS-117 and STS-118. Refer to NASA s photo for those missions.
Building the radiators IMPORTANT Note how the radiators are folded for each side. The one that has the 4 yellow handrails (right) that last piece will be folded downwards. The left side is folded in the opposite way. Both sides are glued as one. A delicate zigzag piece is glued to the sides of the radiators as photo show. For best results be very PATIENT when cutting this thin piece. Where they cross is where you will glue.
Note box glued to the top and details.
Reference photos
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