KSC-2010-1378

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-130 Mission Specialist Robert Behnken enters the White Room at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The members of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew are participating in a dress rehearsal for their upcoming launch, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. Behnken will be making his second spaceflight on STS-130. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission is the International Space Station's Tranquility node, a pressurized module that will provide room for many of the station's life support systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a cupola, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor spacewalks and docking operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency. Launch of STS-130 is targeted for Feb. 7. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts130_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Troy Cryder