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Author
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Topic: Future space station component relocations
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LM-12
Member Posts: 3208
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 03-02-2011 12:56 PM
  
Is the current location of the Cupola permanent, or are there plans to re-locate it after STS-135? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-02-2011 01:13 PM
At this point no firm plans exist but there has been some consideration given to moving the Cupola, as well as the newly installed Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to accommodate future visiting vehicles and modules. From what I understand, the Astronaut Office is against the move of the Cupola, preferring that it stays where it is (Node 3 Tranquility nadir). |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 03-02-2011 02:51 PM
I have it on good authority that although the Cupola "officially" has an obstructed view because of the PMM, when an astronaut is doing robotics ops from within the Cupola, the PMM is aft and inboard and does not hamper views of the primary areas where the robotics operate. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3208
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 03-02-2011 04:14 PM
A series of photos taken through all six side windows of the Cupola would give us a panoramic view of what the astronauts see from the current Node 3 nadir location. |
issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-03-2011 03:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ilbasso:
Cupola "officially" has an obstructed view because of the PMM
Is there a before-and-after photograph to show how much of an obstruction there is? I also understand that NASA is thinking of attaching a fourth Node assembled from components that exist in various locations across the USA. But how will it be launched? |
Byeman
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 03-03-2011 05:25 AM
quote:
Originally posted by issman1:
But how will it be launched?
ELV |
issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-03-2011 05:40 AM
Concise answer, but no US space station module has ever been launched on an ELV since Skylab.The only comparison is how the Russian modules Pirs and Poisk were delivered. But even a Node is substantially larger, so how would it be safely transported and docked? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-03-2011 08:16 AM
quote:
Originally posted by issman1:
Is there a before-and-after photograph to show how much of an obstruction there is?
Here's a before-and-after as viewed through one of the Cupola's windows.  
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issman1
Member Posts: 1042
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-03-2011 10:55 AM
From the images, it does appear to hinder a crewmember's panoramic view. Having said that, the docking port PMM currently occupies was to have been the location for the US Hab.I'm also curious where Bigelow Aerospace's inflatable modules will be attached, should NASA agree to utilise them. Node 4 perhaps? |
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