NASA Photo ID: STS049-99-006      File Name: 10065192.gif 
 
Film Type: 70mm CN                Date Taken: 05/16/92 
 
Title: STS-49 MS Thornton & MS Akers in OV-105's payload bay during ASEM procedures 
 
Description: 
 
STS-49 Mission Specialist (MS) Kathryn C. Thornton (foreground) releases a  
strut from the multipurpose experiment support structure (MPESS) strut  
dispenser during Assembly of Station by Extravehicular Activity (EVA) 
Methods  (ASEM) procedures in Endeavour's, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 105's, 
payload bay  (PLB). MS Thomas D. Akers, positioned on the opposite side of 
the MPESS,  waits for Thornton to hand him the final strut. The two 
astronauts are  building the ASEM structure during mission's fourth EVA.   
The ASEM  structure, locked in at four corners to payload retention latch 
assemblies  (PRLAs), rises above the PLB.  In the background are the 
INTELSAT cradle,  the vertical tail, and the orbital maneuvering system 
(OMS) pods.  The  blue and white Earth is visible below.