File:STS-130 launch.jpg

Summary

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle" class="extiw" title="w:Space Shuttle">Space shuttle</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Endeavour" class="extiw" title="w:Space Shuttle Endeavour">Endeavour</a> lights up the predawn sky above Florida's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Coast" class="extiw" title="w:Space Coast">Space Coast</a> as it lifts off <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Space_Center_Launch_Complex_39" class="extiw" title="w:Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39">Launch Pad 39A</a> at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA" class="extiw" title="w:NASA">NASA</a>'s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Space_Center" class="extiw" title="w:Kennedy Space Center">Kennedy Space Center</a>. Launch of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-130" class="extiw" title="w:STS-130">STS-130</a> mission to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station" class="extiw" title="w:International Space Station">International Space Station</a> was at 4:14 a.m. EST. This was the second launch attempt for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 crew and the final scheduled space shuttle night launch. The first attempt on Feb. 7 was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather. The primary payload for the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tranquility_(ISS_module)" class="extiw" title="w:Tranquility (ISS module)">Tranquility node</a>, a pressurized module that will provide additional room for crew members and many of the station's life support and environmental control systems. Attached to one end of Tranquility is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupola_(ISS)" class="extiw" title="w:Cupola (ISS)">cupola</a>, a unique work area with six windows on its sides and one on top. The cupola resembles a circular bay window and will provide a vastly improved view of the station's exterior. The multi-directional view will allow the crew to monitor <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra-vehicular_activity" class="extiw" title="w:Extra-vehicular activity">spacewalks</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/space_rendezvous" class="extiw" title="w:space rendezvous">docking</a> operations, as well as provide a spectacular view of Earth and other celestial objects. The module was built in Turin, Italy, by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thales_Alenia_Space" class="extiw" title="w:Thales Alenia Space">Thales Alenia Space</a> for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Space_Agency" class="extiw" title="w:European Space Agency">European Space Agency</a>.

Licensing

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