The International Space Station's 7m (22.9ft)-long pressurised cylindrical Node 2 module "Harmony" is pictured being loaded into the payload bay of NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery ahead of its planned launch this week.
Developed by Thales Alenia Space, the 14,000kg (31,000lb) node will increase the station's internal volume by about 500m3 (17,600ft3) and will link the ISS's US Destiny laboratory to the forthcoming Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo and European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory modules.
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Above: Node 2 module "Harmony" is loaded into Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay |
Source: Flight International