Two hundred twenty miles above the earth, astronauts have installed a 23-foot expansion aboard the International Space Station that comes with quite a bonus: a seven-window cupola that allows them to look down on the home planet from a unique vantage point.
The expansion is called Tranquility — named for the spot where Americans first landed on the moon in 1969. For now, it’s just a nice amenity, but the plan is to eventually outfit Tranquility with all the bells and whistles (like, say, a toilet) that will allow it to be converted into living quarters.
“I don’t think space station’s ever going to be the same after this,” said NASA’s mission control in a congratulatory phone call.
For the American astronauts involved in the project, there won’t be much time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. The shuttle Endeavor and its six astronauts are due back in Florida by the end of the weekend, with the shuttle Discovery scheduled to take their place at some point in April.