Cupola
Quick Facts
The cupola has seven windows for observing the Earth, as well as spacewalks, and spacecraft arrivals and departures.
Station crew members frequently point their cameras outside the cupola and photograph landmarks on Earth.
Astronauts can use the cupola’s robotics workstation to command the Canadarm2 to reach out, grapple, and install spacecraft.
Ranger 7 sent 4,316 stunning images before crashing into the Moon on the northern rim of the Sea of Clouds.
The cupola is a small module designed for the observation of operations outside the station such as robotic activities, the approach of vehicles, and spacewalks. Its six side windows and a direct nadir viewing window provide spectacular views of Earth and celestial objects. The windows are equipped with shutters to protect them from contamination and collisions with orbital debris or micrometeorites. The cupola house the robotic workstation that controls the Canadarm2.
Mass: 4,136 pounds
Height: 4.7 feet
Diameter: 9.8 feet
Mission Overview
Launch: 2/8/10
Installation: 2/15/10
Assembly Mission: 20A
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour
Crew on station: Expedition 22
