Shuttle blasts off to deliver 360º observation deck to the ISS

British born astronaut Dr Nicholas Patrick – a Cambridge graduate originally from Saltburn-by-sea, North Yorkshire - is part of a team that embarked on a 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday 8 February 2010.

Dr Patrick, 45, will attach two new segments – each weighing around 15 tonnes – to the ISS with fellow spacewalker Robert Behnken as they circle the earth at 17,500 mph.

Space Shuttle Endeavour launched from the Kennedy Space Centre at 09:14 GMT on Monday 8th February, to deliver two new modules to the International Space Station but was delayed when cloud cover made the team miss their 10 minute launch window.

Cupola is an observation module featuring the largest and most complex window assembly ever launched into space. The dome-shaped module will provide a 360º view from a panoramic control tower - to enable astronauts to observe external operations such as spacewalks, robotics or visiting spacecraft and guide activity as providing psychological benefits for the crew.

Nodes are connecting elements between the various pressurised modules on the ISS. Node-3 will provide more space for equipment and the astronauts.

Learn more about the Node-3, Cupola and STS-130, with press releases, and mission information on the ESA (link opens in a new window) and NASA (link opens in a new window) Website.

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