ISS gets window on the world as viewing deck fitted (a multi-windowed cupola)

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 2/16/10 | AFP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Endeavour astronauts have attached a windowed cupola to the International Space Station (ISS), affording its inhabitants a spectacular view of Earth, as well as additional living and work space.

The windowed dome was placed on an Earth-facing port on the Tranquility module, installed during the space shuttle mission's first two spacewalks. A final spacewalk is set for late Tuesday (0209 GMT Wednesday).

"The International Space Station's new viewport is facing the Earth now, ready to provide a panoramic view of the planet below and approaching cargo ships," NASA said in a statement Monday.

The US space agency said shutters on the cupola's seven windows would be opened Tuesday.

The windows are expected to provide a breathtaking view of space, Earth and visiting spacecraft, while the 360-degree viewing spectrum provides a vital access point for monitoring spacewalks and docking operations.

Endeavour mission specialist Kathryn Hire and pilot Terry Virts used the station's Canadarm2 from controls in the US laboratory Destiny to install the cupola, while station commander Jeff Williams operated the latches and bolts to release the cupola from its launch location and secure it to its new home.

NASA said the Tranquility module -- housing life support equipment, exercise gear and a toilet -- is expected to radically improve life on the orbiting space center.

[NormsRevenge]

NASA image showing the silhouette of the space shuttle Endeavour approaching the International Space Station for docking on February 9. Endeavour astronauts have attached a windowed cupola to the ISS, giving those on board a spectacular view of Earth, as well as additional living and work space. (AFP/NASA)

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Graphic presentation of US space shuttle Endeavour, International Space Station and the Cupola pod. Endeavour astronauts have attached a windowed cupola to the ISS, giving those on board a spectacular view of Earth, as well as additional living and work space. (AFP/Graphic)

[NCC-1701]

There are three panes per window. An inner pane, a middle pressure pane, and an outer debris deflecting pane.The outer panes of glass are designed for on-orbit replacement. The NASA PAO was talking about that last night. Pretty neat. Also, the frame is produced from a single piece of metal. There are no welded seams. that’s to insure pressure integrity of the copula.

[NormsRevenge]

I hope they hang a web cam or two so ya can watch the UFOs fly by and stop off and have a brewsky with the crew. ;-)

[Red Badger]

>..that’s to insure pressure integrity of the copula.

If you are in it, are you copulating?...............

[NCC-1701]

Yes. In an orbital sort of way.