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European-built ISS module welcomed to KSC


Node 3 welcoming ceremony at KSC
 
NASA's Kennedy Space Center provided an opportunity for the media to see the newest section of the International Space Station, the Tranquility node. Tranquility is a pressurised module that will provide room for many of the Station's life support systems. Managers from NASA, the ESA, Thales Alenia Space and Boeing - the organisations involved in building and processing the module for flight - were available for a question-and-answer session during the event. Tranquility will be delivered to the Station by Space Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-130 mission, scheduled for launch in February 2010.

Node 3 is unloaded from Beluga Airbus at KSC
 
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Node 3 module moves out of the Beluga Airbus. Named Tranquility, the module will be delivered to the International Space Station on the STS-130 mission. Tranquility will eventually house the life support equipment necessary for the Space Station's permanent crew of six. It will also accommodate ESA's Cupola observation module, a seven-window, dome-shaped structure. Tranquility is targeted for launch on Space Shuttle Endeavour in February 2010.

Node 3 is transported to SSPF at KSC
 
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane lowers the Node 3 module onto the flatbed that will transport it to the Space Station Processing Facility. Named Tranquility, the module will be delivered to the International Space Station on the STS-130 mission. Tranquility will eventually house the life support equipment necessary for the Space Station's permanent crew of six. It will also accommodate ESA's Cupola observation module, a seven-window, dome-shaped structure. Tranquility is targeted for launch on Space Shuttle Endeavour in February 2010.

Node 3 is lowered onto work stand at KSC
 
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an overhead crane lowers into Tranquility module, or Node 3, toward a work stand. The module will be delivered to the International Space Station on the STS-130 mission. Tranquility will eventually house the life support equipment necessary for the space station's permanent crew of six. It will also accommodate ESA's Cupola observation module, a seven-window, dome-shaped structure. Tranquility is targeted for launch on Space Shuttle Endeavour in February 2010.



Release date: 14 September 2009