ESA - Human Spaceflight and Exploration - International Space Station - ESA transfer ownership of European-built ISS observation module to NASA

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ESA transfer ownership of European-built ISS observation module to NASA

19 July 2005

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Artist's impression of Cupola attached to Node 3, a module of the International Space Station - a nighttime view.

The Cupola, currently scheduled for launch in January 2009, is an observation and control tower for the ISS, with windows that will provide a panoramic view for observing and guiding operations on the outside of the Station. The pressurised module will accommodate command and control workstations and other hardware, enabling crewmembers to control the Station’s robotic arm - for attaching and assembling various Station elements - and to communicate with other crewmembers in other parts of the Station or outside during spacewalk activities. The Cupola will also be used for observational applications in the areas of Earth observation and space science

Credits: ESA/D.Ducros

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A ceremony to mark development phase completion of Cupola was held in Turin, Italy, on Monday 6 September. Those attending the ceremony took the chance to view Cupola before transportation to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

From inside Cupola, a dome-shaped structure fitted with seven specially developed windows, astronauts will have a panoramic view for observing and guiding operations on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS).

Credits: ESA-M.Specht

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Trapezoidal windows for the Cupola flight unit at the Alenia Spazio facility in Turin, Italy. (May 2002)

The cupola, currently scheduled for launch in January 2009, is an observation and control tower for the ISS, with windows that will provide a panoramic view for observing and guiding operations on the outside of the station. The pressurised module will accommodate command and control workstations and other hardware, enabling crewmembers to control the station’s robotic arm - for attaching and assembling various station elements - and to communicate with other crewmembers in other parts of the station or outside during spacewalk activities. The cupola will also be used for observational applications in the areas of Earth observation and space science

Credits: ESA

Largest window for space completed A room with a view for the International Space Station: Completion of the Cupola observation module