International Space Station (ISS)

Back dropped against the blackness of space, the International Space Station (ISS) sporting its new S-1 Truss (lower right) and cooling radiator (white portion to the right of frame) is captured on film by the STS-113 crew as the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavor approaches the International Space Station (ISS). STS-112 mission installed the S1 truss in October 2000. It is one of nine similar truss segments that, combined, will serve as the Station's main backbone, measuring 356 feet from end to end upon completion. The Space Station's labs, living modules, solar arrays, heat radiators, and other main components will be attached to the truss. The 16th American assembly flight and 112th overall American flight to the ISS launched on November 23, 2002 from Kennedy's launch pad 39A aboard the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavor STS-113. The main mission objective was to install and activate the Port 1 Integrated Truss Assembly (P1) to the left side of the station.