The Planets.com

The Space Shuttle Cargo Bay Return to Earth

In this image, a space-suited astronaut prepares a satellite for its release from the Shuttle's cargo bay. The bay, 18.3 m long and 4.6 m wide (60 ft by 15 ft), has payload attachment points along its full length, and is adaptable enough to accommodate as many as five unmanned spacecraft of various sizes and shapes in one mission. The cargo bay is equipped also with a 15 m (50 ft) robot arm for lifting and releasing, or grasping and retrieving satellites in space.