The Cupola is a U.S. element of the International Space Station (ISS) that will provide direct viewing for robotic operations and Space Shuttle payload bay viewing, as well as a spectacular observation point of earth, for astronauts

Designed and built by Alenia from Italy, it is approximately 2 meters in diameter and 1.5 meters tall. It has 6 side windows and a top window, all of which are equipped with shutters to protect them from micro meteorite damage. When the Cupola was designed, it was intended that one of the two identical robotic workstations to control the Canadarm 2 would be eventually mounted in the Cupola. The Cupola is designed to be attached to the Unity Module.

The Cupola still appears in the budget. According to press reports in August, 2004, the Cupola will be attached to Node 1 and it will be launched in April 2010. Development phase completion of the Cupola was marked by an ESA ceremony at the Alenia Spazio facility in Turin, Italy on 6 September 2004.

Specifications

• Dimensions
  • Overall height - 1.5 m
  • Maximum diameter - 2.95 m
  • Mass - 1,880 kg

External links

ESA Report about the Cupola ESA: Largest window for Space completed