KSC-2010-1697

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the White Room at Launch Pad 39A on NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-130 Mission Specialist Kathryn Hire (left) prepares to enter space shuttle Endeavour for launch with crewmate Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson looking on. This is the second launch attempt for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew. The first attempt on Feb. 7 was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station is the Tranquility node, a pressurized module that will provide additional room for crew members and many of the station's life support and environmental control 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. Endeavour's launch is set for Feb. 8 at 4:14 a.m. EST. For information on the STS-130 mission and crew, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts130_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Sandra Joseph and Kevin O'Connell