In the USA there was much mirth at the result of a poll that saw US television comedian Stephen Colbert apparently chosen to be the name of the International Space Station's (ISS) Node 3. Named Tranquility instead, in honour of the Apollo 11 Moon landing forty years ago this year, Colbert is to have an ISS treadmill named after him as a runner up prize
The European Space Agency and its contractor Thales Alenia Space say of Node 3
The Node-3 connecting module to the International Space Station is currently undergoing final preparations at Thales Alenia Space premises, Torino, in view of its shipment to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Its launch is currently scheduled on-board STS-130 in December 2009. Node 3 will eventually house the life support equipment necessary for the permanent crew of six and will also accommodate ESA's Cupola obseration module, a seven window dome-shaped structure from where the Space Station's robotic arm, Canadarm 2, will be operated
The Cupola is already at KSC and can be seen here. Yours truly will be attending the 16 May Node 3 roll out so expect pictures and maybe even a podcast from this event
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