Station Awaits Tranquility

In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, processing of the node 3, named Tranquility, nears completion.

Its cupola, seen in this view, is covered and its hatch secured. Hatch closure follows the completion of preparations for the node's transport to the pad and is a significant milestone in launch processing activities.

The two modules are the payload for Endeavour's STS-130 mission to the International Space Station.

Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller
Dec. 16, 2009