Tranquility (ISS module)
Tranquility in 2011
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| Station statistics | |
|---|---|
| Launch date: | 8 February 2010 |
| Launch vehicle: | Space Shuttle Endeavour |
| Docked: | 12 February 2010 |
| Mass: | 19,000 kilograms (42,000 lb) |
| Length: | 6.706 metres (22.00 ft) |
| Diameter: | 4.48 metres (14.7 ft) |
| References: | |
Tranquility, also known as Node 3, is a module of the International Space Station (ISS). ESA and the Italian Space Agency had Tranquility built by Thales Alenia Space. A ceremony on November 20, 2009 transferred ownership of the module to NASA. On February 8, 2010, NASA launched the module on the Space Shuttle's STS-130 mission.
The module provides six berthing locations, but one of the locations is disabled, as modules originally planned to be attached to Tranquility were canceled. STS-130 also brought the Cupola, a large window module and robotics work station to the ISS, which was then attached to the nadir-side of Tranquility. The module also includes various ISS systems, including additional life support systems.
Tranquility was built within the ESA-NASA ISS bartering system. ESA committed to build and fund both Harmony and Tranquility as well as the ATV in order to use NASA ISS facitilies, fly astronauts on the Shuttle and for other ISS services. ESA teamed up with the Italian Space Agency ASI to build both Harmony and Tranquility at Thales Alenia Space in Turin.
Tranquility provides six berthing locations with power, data and commanding, thermal and environmental control, and crew access for more attached habitable volumes or for crew transportation vehicles or stowage, or an appropriate combination of all of these. One of the berthing locations is used by Cupola, which houses a Robotic Work Station inside it to assist in the assembly/maintenance of the ISS, and offers a window for Earth observations. Tranquility was launched with the Cupola attached to its port facing Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM). After mating Tranquility with the port CBM of Unity, the Cupola was transferred to the nadir facing port of Tranquility where it will stay.
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