Aft Crew Station (Labelled A)

Behind the crew seats in the flight deck is the aft crew station. This is the control centre for working with the payloads while in orbit. There are two windows for monitoring the payload in the cargo bay, as well as two overhead windows that look out into space.

The aft crew station is shaped like a horseshoe. The left side of the horseshoe, behind the pilot, is the mission station. This is where the flightÕs mission specialist manages the flight with a computer keyboard and the spacecraft system monitors. On the right side, behind the commander, the payload specialist has monitors and controls for each payload.

At the back of the wall are the pilot and payload handler stations. On the left side, the pilot can manoeuvre the Orbiter for docking and help with the payload handling. To the pilotÕs right, the payload handler operates the Remote Manipulator System.