KSC-2009-6126

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-130 Mission Specialist Kathryn "Kay" Hire, middle, and Pilot Terry Virts Jr., right, receive familiarization training on the cupola from a flight crew representative from Thales Alenia Space during their crew equipment interface test. The cupola, a unique work station with six windows on its sides and one on top, is attached to one end of the Tranquility node. Tranquility, the payload for the STS-130 mission, is a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the International Space Station's life support systems. The module was built for the European Space Agency by Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. The cupola resembles a circular bay window that will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. Just under 10 feet in diameter, the module will accommodate two crew members and portable workstations that can control station and robotic activities. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. Endeavour is targeted to launch Feb. 4, 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett