KSC-2010-1285

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - STS-130 Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick talks with those on hand for his arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 mission is at Kennedy to participate in training and a dress rehearsal for their upcoming launch, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. STS-130 will be Patrick's second spaceflight. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission is the International Space Station's Node 3, Tranquility, 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/Kim Shiflett