Boeing has completed a test article of the 13m-long centre truss segment which is destined to become the backbone of the International Space Station (ISS). Assembly is now proceeding on the first production segment due to be attached in orbit to the crew laboratory module in early 2000. The centre truss will be the first of nine segments to integrate and distribute power, data, communications and thermal systems around the station. ISS assembly flights begin on 17 August.
Source: Flight International
