What are the maximum dimensions and mass for a payload in the Shuttle?
STS Payload Bay has a diameter of 4.6 m and a length of 18.2 m. For ISS missions, however some of the space is taken up the Orbiter Docking System so the available free length of the PLB is approx. 16.25 m. Maximum payload mass depends on orbiter vehicle and orbit needed for the payload. It can take more into a 300x300x28.5° orbit than a 400x400x51.6° orbit. As a space plane, the payload, which can be returned (download) to Earth, is also limited by cross range and CoG requirements.
