ISS023-E-047431 (18 May 2010) --- Intersecting the thin line of Earth's atmosphere, the docked space shuttle Atlantis is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 23 crew member on the International Space Station. The Russian-built Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM-1) is visible in the payload bay as the shuttle robotic arm prepares to unberth the module from Atlantis and position it for handoff to the station robotic arm. Named Rassvet, Russian for "dawn," the module is the second in a series of new pressurized components for Russia and will be permanently attached to the Earth-facing port of the Zarya Functional Cargo Block (FGB). Rassvet will be used for cargo storage and will provide an additional docking port to the station.
Date May 18, 2010