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| | | | | | | Node 2: Connecting Module
The Node 2 connecting module
Node 2 is a pressurized module which will serve as a connecting passage between the European Columbus laboratory, the US laboratory Destiny and the Japanese laboratory Kibo.
Node 2 also provides a docking port for the Space Shuttle and the Japanese HII transfer vehicle, whilst it also serves as an attachment point for the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM). Node 2 is designed to be a working base point for the Space Station robotic arm, Canadarm 2.
Node 2 was developed for NASA under an ESA contract with European industry, with Alcatel-Alenia Space as the prime contractor. Responsibility for Node 2 development was assigned to the Italian space agency, ASI. The structural design is based on that of the MPLM and the European Columbus laboratory.
NASA held a competition amongst schoolchildren in the United States to find a name for the Node 2 module. On 15 March 2007 the new name Harmony was announced.
Node 2, or Harmony, was launched in October 2007 on board Space Shuttle flight STS-120 (ISS Assembly Flight 10A).
| Node 2 specifications | | Dimensions | | | Length | 6706 mm | | Diameter | 4480 mm | | Pressurized volume | 70 m3 | | Mass budget | | | Launch mass | 14 500 kg | | On orbit payload mass | 15 300 kg |
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Last update: 16 January 2009 | |
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