15 Years Ago: STS-130 Delivers Tranquility and Cupola to Space Station
On February 8, 2008, Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on mission STS-130, carrying the Node 3 module, named “Tranquility,” and the Cupola, a seven-windowed observation module, to the International Space Station.
The mission was the 23rd shuttle flight to the space station and the second of three assembly flights to deliver components for the station’s U.S. segment. The crew of STS-130 included Commander George Zamka, Pilot Terry Virts, Mission Specialists Robert Behnken, Nicholas Patrick, and Kathryn Hire, and Expedition 16 Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson and Yuri Malenchenko.
The primary objective of STS-130 was to deliver and install Tranquility, which provided six additional berthing ports for visiting vehicles, served as a docking port for visiting vehicles, and housed life support systems for the station’s crew. The module also contained a water recycling system, an air revitalization system, and a waste collection system.
The other major objective of STS-130 was to deliver and install the Cupola, which provided the crew with a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the Earth, the space station, and visiting spacecraft. The Cupola was the first module on the space station to provide a 360-degree view, and it quickly became a favorite spot for the crew to relax and enjoy the views.
The STS-130 crew performed five spacewalks during the mission, totaling 33 hours and 35 minutes. During the spacewalks, the crew installed Tranquility, the Cupola, and other equipment on the space station. The spacewalks were also used to inspect the station’s exterior and to perform maintenance tasks.
The STS-130 mission was a major milestone in the construction of the International Space Station. The addition of Tranquility and the Cupola provided the station with additional berthing ports, life support systems, and a panoramic view, making it more capable of supporting a larger crew and conducting more complex research.
The STS-130 mission also marked the first time that a female astronaut, Peggy Whitson, served as commander of a space shuttle mission. Whitson’s appointment to the command position was a significant milestone for women in space, and it paved the way for future female astronauts to lead space missions.
The STS-130 mission was a success, and the addition of Tranquility and the Cupola to the International Space Station significantly increased the station’s capabilities. The space station has continued to be a major platform for scientific research and human spaceflight, and it has played a vital role in our exploration of space.
15 Years Ago: STS-130 Delivers Tranquility and Cupola to Space Station
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