In 1997, NASA and ESA signed a barter agreement, known as the ‘Columbus Launch Offset Agreement’, or ‘Nodes Barter’, in which ESA would build Node-2 and Node-3 in exchange for the Shuttle launch of Columbus. The mid-1990, descoping of the Space Station Alpha concept led to the cancellation of the Cupola and forced NASA to find solutions to optimize the costs of essential elements such as the Nodes (Node-2 and Node-3, Ref. Originally, at the time of the ‘Space Station Alpha’ plan, Boeing was in charge of the design and development of both elements under contract to NASA. Table 1: Specification of the Cupola observation module 2)įigure 2: Illustration of the Cupola multi-layer shutter configuration (image credit: NASA) Transferred from Orbiter cargo bay to the Node location by the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System - Initially berthed to Node 1 Port-port, later relocated to Node 3 Forward-port - The Node 3 module was renamed to Tranquility module Internal closure panels equipment & harness support brackets - Crew System Kit seat tracks, handrails, handholds, tethers - Manually operated shutters for each window (also serves as MDPS) - 2 Window Change Out Covers to support on orbit window assembly replacement - Thermal Control System water supplied from Node High Temperature loop - Passive thermal control utilizes Multi-Layer Insulation and thermo-optical properties - Environmental Control and Life Support air from Node Inter Module Ventilation -MIL-1553 Bus, Discrete I/O, Audio, Video Forged/Machined Aluminum dome welded to skirt - Window Assembly, (6 side and 1 top), glass panes and window heaters and thermistors - Passive Common Berthing Mechanism bolted to the skirt - System Aluminum bumper on the cylindrical portion - 2 Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture interface plates Dome: Forged Al 2219-T851 - Skirt: Al 2219-T851 - Thermal control: Goldised Kapton MLI (Multi-Layer Insulation) blanket - Windows: Fused Silica and borosilicate glass - Protective shutters: Al-6061-T6, AL 7075-T7352 and Kevlar/Nextel sheets Direct from the Node 120 V interface: Window heaters - Via the Utility Outlet Panel, 120 V interface: Robotic Workstation Portable Computer System Portable light system Environmental Control and Life Support air from Node Inter Module Ventilation - With manual temperature adjustment Via Audio Terminal Unit that is connected to Node 3 and the rest of the station - 1553B buses via Utility Outlet Panel - Dedicated discrete lines for RWS (Robotic Work Station) Launch mass = 1805 kg - On-orbit mass = 1880 kg Diameter = 2.955 m Including Micrometeoroid and orbital Debris Protection System with shutters closed - Height = 1.5 m Including Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture - Its capacity is for 2 crew members with a portable workstation These panels are removable for inspection of the lower subsystems. These panels also provide air distribution to the outer structure and internal cabin. The Cupola’s internal layout is dominated by upper and lower handrails supporting most of its equipment, and by closeout panels that cover the harness and the water lines attached to Cupola. Each window is built using very advanced technologies to defend the sensitive fused silica glass panes from years of exposure to solar radiation and debris impacts. The Cupola is a “shirtsleeve” module with six trapezoidal side windows and a circular top window of 80 cm in diameter, making it the largest window ever flown in space (providing a panoramic view of Earth). The Cupola is an aluminum structure of 2.95 m (max) in diameter, 1.5 m high with a mass of ~1800 kg. TAS-I (Thales Alenia Space-Italia) was the prime contractor of the Cupola (Italian for 'dome'). The Cupola was provided by ESA to NASA in exchange for the transport of 5 external payloads (barter agreement). In addition to serving as an observation and work area when the crew operates the Station’s robotic arms, it also provides excellent views of Earth, celestial objects and visiting vehicles. The European-built Cupola was added to the ISS in 2010 and continues to provide the best room with a view anywhere. ISS Utilization: Cupola Observation Module of the ISS
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