STS-130 Cosmic Corridor
02.02.10
STS-130 Mission Patch
The hexagon shape of the STS-130 patch represents the six-sided cupola (KYOO puh luh). STS-130 carries the seven-window cupola to the International Space Station. The patch includes the first photograph of Earth taken from the moon by Lunar Orbiter I on Aug. 23, 1966.
STS-130 Crew
The STS-130 crew members celebrate the end of crew training with a cake-cutting ceremony at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Pictured from the left are astronauts Robert Behnken (BANK-ehn), Kathryn Hire, Nicholas Patrick, all mission specialists; George Zamka, commander; Terry Virts, pilot; and Stephen Robinson, mission specialist.
International Space Station Configuration
The STS-130 crew will install the Tranquility node, with the cupola attached, onto the International Space Station. The Tranquility node is 23 feet (7.01 meters) long and 14.8 feet (4.51 meters) in diameter. The cupola is 4.9 feet (1.49 meters) long and 9.7 feet (2.95 meters) in diameter. The Harmony node and Unity node are already on the station.
Endeavour
Space shuttle Endeavour is prepared in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The shuttle orbiter was lifted on a crane and attached to the external tank and solid rocket boosters to prepare for launch.
Tranquility
Space shuttle Endeavour and the STS-130 crew are delivering a connecting module to the space station. Named Tranquility, the node will hold many of the life support systems already on the station. These systems include water recycling and air recycling systems. The Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, known as COLBERT, also will be moved to the node from another area of the station.
The Cupola
The STS-130 crew delivers the ultimate observation deck to the space station. The cupola has seven windows. It will be attached to the Tranquility node. The cupola will give astronauts a 360-degree view for watching spacewalks and robotic arm work. The cupola holds two computer workstations. Two crew members can work in the cupola at the same time.
The Commander
Commander George Zamka leads the 13-day STS-130 mission. He was the pilot for the STS-120 flight in 2007. He and his crew will perform three spacewalks to accomplish their tasks.
Space Station Training
Mission Specialist Kay Hire and Pilot Terry Virts prepared for the STS-130 mission in the International Space Station Lab at NASA's Johnson Space Center. There they practiced a robotics simulation to move the cupola to its new home on the Tranquility node.
Training Day
The STS-130 crew will use a variety of tools in space. Before the flight, they work with many trainers who help them practice using the tools for the mission.
Spacewalkers
Mission Specialist and spacewalker Stephen Robinson stands near as Mission Specialist Robert Behnken prepares for his spacewalk training. He practiced in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick is the third spacewalker for the STS-130 mission.
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